Oct 7, 2007 3:34 pm US/Central
Runner Has Competed In All 30 Marathons
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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George Mueller has completed all the Chicago Marathons in 30 years
CBS
Before the race began, we spoke to a man who's pretty familiar with the whole drill. He's one of only nine people who've run the race every time. For him, this is pretty much old hat.
For many a runner, to be able to say just once that you finished 26.2 miles is enough. But there are people come back year after year.
George Mueller is one of the few. He's been part of every Chicago Marathon.
"It's my little claim to fame," Mueller said. "It's been a real rush for 30 years, I'll tell you that."
He's got the memorabilia to prove it. Asked which of his many pieces of memorabilia is the most interesting, Mueller said, "It has to be the original entry form, which is a $5 entry fee and is on a third of an 8-1/2 by 11 sheet of paper."
Back in the beginning, the Chicago Marathon went by a different name. The Mayor Daley Marathon, as in Richard J. Daley.
At that 1977 event, George Mueller was one of some 4,200 runners. Now the field tops out at some 45,000 participants.
What makes the Chicago Marathon stand out?
"It's Chicago. I've always felt the part that makes Chicago as good as it is is the people who run in it, the people who support it. It's been wonderful," Mueller said.
That's why he wouldn't miss it. A broken leg and dislocated ankle this year couldn't keep him away.
Mueller told his doctor, "'I want to have surgery. Can I have it today? Because I want to run the marathon in October' and he gave me a strange look."
His family didn't find it strange at all. They've been a part of his passion for three decades now, so they're familiar with his almost daily training and his long term dedication.
His wife, Karen, said, "He loves running. He loves it and we love it with him."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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