Solution
By Sharon Egiebor
ESPN Sports commentator Kevin B. Blackistone is training to run in the Marine Corps Marathon to benefit children impacted by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Blackistone, a panelist on “Around the Horn,” said he wanted his first marathon run to be for a good cause. “I decided to do the marathon and there are always charities associated with a marathon. I went through their list [and found 25:40] ... I thought to myself, wow, helping orphan, black kids in a developing country from a third world situation, I’ve got to do something for them. I immediately signed up.” Blackistone is one of 56 runners that will be raising money for 25:40, a nonprofit agency that helps children in rural South African villages. The 32nd Marine Corps Marathon, a 26.2-mile run starts in Arlington, Va., goes through Georgetown and the National Mall monuments, and eventually back into Virginia and finishes at the Marine Corps War Memorial. The race will be held Oct. 28. The marathon is in partnership with 40 charities, that support causes ranging from AIDS to leukemia to Marine scholarships and Tourette Syndrome. Blackistone, 47, a contributing columnist on Politico.com, and a former columnist for The Dallas Morning News, said HIV/AIDS has been a special concern. Several of his friends and associates have died from the disease, including his favorite professor in college died, a childhood friend’s partner and a neighbor. “It is just another malady that the black community suffers from unnecessarily. We can through education, prevention and treatment, stop the spread of HIV or arrest the horrible health defects of HIV,” said Blackistone, who returned to his hometown of Hyattsville, Md., to be closer to his family after he left the Morning News last year. ”Medical science is looking for a cure, but we already have ways to stop the spread of it and to give people who have HIV the opportunity to live with it. I think since there is something that we can do about it, let’s do something about it. There are some things that we struggle with because there are no answers. This is something we clearly have an answer to. That’s why I thought it was important.” Unlike some people who have a traumatic experience or are experiencing a life-threatening illness, Blackistone said he is running the marathon because his fiancée Marilyn Farinre challenged him. Farinre participates in several runs from the 5Ks to half marathons. They both ran the Houston Half Marathon Her time was 2.28:15 in 2006 and 2:33 in January. His time in 2006 was 2.15, 15 minutes slower than he wanted and 20 minutes behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whose official time was 1:55:53, according to race officials. “I’m following the Jeff Galloway training regiment, which this group is basically following. I’m running two or three times during the workweek. On Saturdays is when you put in your big mileage,” he said. “This Saturday, I’ll be running 18 miles for my training. I’ll be running around White Rock Lake [in Dallas, Texas]. It will be two loops around to make the 18 miles.” This weekend’s run will push him further than the 14-16 miles he’s comfortable with and he has a ways to go toward the 26.2 miles. “This particular training regiment will only take you up to 22 miles. I can add on to that if I want. The idea is that once you acclimate your body to so much mileage, you’ll be able to get from 22 to 26.2 miles,” said Blackistone, who will be co-hosting a sports show on XM satellite radio soon. “Anybody who has every done a big race, half marathon or marathon, knows that adrenaline on race day plays as big part in your ability to finish.” Blackistone, when asked, said he’s not overly concerned about the potential feedback from his fellow sports columnist or the individuals he interviews about his race participation. “I really don’t tell anybody. The only reason people know about this is because I am raising money for a worthy cause. I’ve been active in sports competitively and recreationally. I don’t tell athletes I cover or the coaches that I interview. It is what I do in my private life.” September 29 Thomas J. Fahey Jr. Memorial AIDS Walk & Fun RUN 30 October 14
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Seventh Annual Sacramento Valley AIDS Run/Walk
AIDS Walk Sioux Falls, South DaKota
San Diego AIDS Walk/Run 2007
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21st annual AIDS Walk Washington
Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride 2007