Running has become a way of life for Joe. He estimates he participates in nearly 80 races a year. It is not uncommon for him to run two in a weekend, but during this past summer’s Empire State Senior Games, Joe scheduled Senior Game events with road races that same weekend, to make for 5 continuous days of racing. In the end, one event got canceled and car troubles kept him from another. He still made three which is impressive for anyone, but when you consider that Joe is 78 years old, it is truly inspirational!

Joe did not always run. In fact, he did not get involved in running until he was 69 years old. In 1992, Joe began going to racing events to watch his son Sam race. After attending several races, he thought he would try walking in them since he was already there. Eventually that led to running and in 1993, he ran in his first official event; the Ithaca Skunk Cabbage 10k. He has been hooked ever since.

Since that first 10k race Joe has ran countless 5, 10 and 15k's, one 50k, numerous half-marathons and an incredible 15 marathons. His latest marathon was this past October at the Ohio Canal Towpath Marathon in Akron, where not even the muddy terrain or the rain could stop him.

Although there are many races that he has enjoyed, Joe hopes to once again do the USAF Patterson Air Force Base Marathon in Dayton Ohio. He said it was a wonderful race, run entirely through the base with amazing crowd support and sites. The finish is a clear, straight shot down a runway lined with parked planes. He cannot forget the view or the sensation he felt as he ran beneath the wings of the planes to the finish line.

A native of Oswego, Joe is a recently retired accountant and father of 6. He also has 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. When he is not out running, he enjoys spending time outdoors. He also likes surfing the internet and browsing the many running sites looking for interesting articles and races.

Keep on running Joe! The rest of us will try to keep up!

January, 2002