May 8, 2006

Firefighter completes mini marathon

       Although there were 35,000 runners in this year's 500 Mini Marathon in Indianapolis, one participant was particularly easy to spot.  He was the one wearing full firefighting gear and breathing air from an airpack the entire length of the race.  Steve Coover, a full-time Bloomington firefighter and part-time White River Township Fire Inspector, wanted to do something unique in order to raise as much money as possible for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  The concept of covering the 13.1-mile distance in full firefighting gear came to Coover as he was participating last year in the same race, however in conventional running attire.  "I don't think this has ever been done before", said Coover.  So he went with the idea - all the way to the finish line.

         So far, people have pledged over $3,000 on Coover's behalf.  Even during the race itself athletes and spectators were handing twenty dollar bills to him as he went along.  "It was something that we weren't even expecting", said Coover.  "In fact, we raised another $400 just along the course", he added.

         Because he was breathing air from an airpack, the tanks had to be changed along the route at regular intervals.  He had assistants standing by at pre-determined locations to help out.  The only place he could not have someone help was along the stretch inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  There, he had Lieutenant Mark Williams from the White River Township Fire Department with him who brought a tank along for Steve to use.  Mark ran the entire course along side Steve not only to help change tanks but as a paramedic as well in case Steve had problems.  "I felt great throughout the course.  I had a lot of energy", Steve said about the event.

         When all was said and done, Steve crossed the finish line in the 25,265 spot with an overall time of 3 hours and 31 minutes.  "This was a great opportunity to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy", Steve said after the race.  "I will certainly do it again next year", he added.  Steve has been interviewed by most local television stations, newspapers, and even radio over the event.  "We've gotten lots of media attention and that has helped quite a bit in our cause".  Those who were inspired by Steve's run can make a donation on his behalf to the Muscular Dystrophy Association care of the Bloomington Firefighters Local 586, P.O. Box 474, Bloomington, IN  47402.  (The Associated Press, The Daily Journal, and WISH TV-8 contributed to this story)
 
   

     

    
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(Click on icon to view video clip from WISH-TV - 14MB)
 
    

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