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 Most of the time when I am portraying Abraham Lincoln, I strive to be as
much like the real Mr. Lincoln as possible. My "Running Abe"
appearances are obviously an exception! (Another exception is when I
do programs in Spanish, French, or German.)
My first time to run dressed as Abe was the 2002 edition of the
Capital Challenge in
Washington, DC, an invitation-only three-mile race for Federal employees, members of
Congress, etc. At the time I was working for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regional office in Philadelphia, and so I ran on an EPA
team. I
finished in 17:04, which isn't too bad considering the stovepipe hat.
Two years before I had run 16:33 dressed in more typical running gear, so
perhaps the hat slows me down by about
10 seconds per mile.
In the fall of 2015, I decided to bring "Running Abe" back to life, and
since that time I have participated in many 5K races, a few 8K/10K races,
one half marathon, and even some triathlons. In some cases I
have been just a "Running Abe", while in
others I have been both a
regular Mr. Lincoln (interacting with the participants, handing out awards, etc.)
as well as a "Running Abe". In some of these races I have
placed among the top three overall, and in every case I have finished first in Abe's
age group (200+), so I think I can lay claim to the title of "Fastest Abe in
the West" (that would be the "West" of Abe's day: everything west of
the Appalachian Mountains). [In 2017, I also started doing triathlons,
but I am not so nearly competetive in these.] |
 My "Running Abe" outfit varies depending on the weather. In warm weather,
I wear a tuxedo-style t-shirt and black shorts; in cooler weather, my outfit
more closely resembles Mr. Lincoln's traditional clothing, except for the modern
running shoes.
If you would be interested in having "Running Abe" at your own event, please
contact me! Remember that in addition to participating, I can also be a
"regular" Mr. Lincoln, interacting with the runners, starting the runners,
handing out awards, etc.
Testimonials
"Our race director couldn't decide if he was more impressed with you running
as Honest Abe or the fact that you are such a strong runner!" (a race
organizer in the Chicago area)
"The trails of New Salem will be busy on Saturday and if you are lucky you
may catch a glimpse of Abe himself running through the woods." (promotional
e-mail/post by race director of
Abe's Trail Trek)
Fees:
-
A "regular" Mr. Lincoln: See fee schedule on main
Programs page.
-
"Running Abe": My fee is negotiable, but typically includes
my entry fee being waived and some help with travel
expenses/lodging.
Next races:
-11/28/24:
Associated Charities of Lenawee County
Turkey Trot 5K (Adrian, MI) |
|
Races in Which Mr. Lincoln Has Participated
(skip to Triathlons)
|
Date |
Location |
Event |
Overall Place |
Place in Age Group |
|
06/08/2024 |
Rochester, IL |
All American Amble 5K |
5th (of 62) |
1st (of 3) |
|
04/06/2024 |
Springfield, IL |
Lincoln
Presidential Half Marathon |
96th (of 1322) |
4th (of 48) |
|
11/23/2023 |
Adrian, MI |
Associated Charities of Lenawee County
Turkey Trot 5K |
11th (of 214) |
1st (of 8) |
|
10/15/2023 |
Eureka, IL |
Run with Reagan 5K |
6th (of 61) |
3rd (of 10) |
|
06/03/2023 |
Springfield, IL |
Lincoln
Memorial Garden 8K Trail Race |
8th (of 182) |
1st (of 12) |
|
06/02/2023 |
Springfield, IL |
Legacy of Giving 5K |
2nd (of 39) |
1st (of 5) |
|
04/01/2023 |
Springfield, IL |
Lincoln
Presidential Half Marathon |
57th (of 939) |
2nd (of 44) |
|
11/24/2022 |
Adrian, MI |
Associated Charities of Lenawee County
Turkey Trot 5K |
12th (of 175) |
1st (of 17) |
|
06/04/2022 |
Springfield, IL |
Lincoln
Memorial Garden 8K Trail Race |
7th (of 147) |
1st (of 18) |
|
05/21/2022 |
Adrian, MI |
Spring into Fitness 5K (start/finish at
Lincoln Elementary School) |
18th (of 151) |
1st (of 6) |
|
11/25/2021 |
Adrian, MI |
Associated Charities of Lenawee County
Turkey Trot 5K |
11th (of 128) |
1st (of 9) |
|
07/03/2021 |
Jacksonville, IL |
Jacksonville
(IL) Fourth of July Blast 5K |
6th (of 94) |
1st (of 3) |
|
09/28/2019 |
Lerna, IL |
Harvest Frolic 5K Run (at Lincoln
Log Cabin State Historical Site) |
1st (of about 20) |
N/A |
|
07/04/2019 |
Riverside, IL |
Riverside Independence Day 5K Run |
22nd (of 369) |
2nd (of 16) |
|
10/27/2018 |
Springfield, IL |
Sangamon Valley Trail Run 5K |
1st (of 28) |
N/A |
|
10/07/2018 |
Hodgenville, KY |
Lincoln Days
"Railsplitter 5K" |
2nd (of 57) |
N/A |
|
06/01/2018 |
Springfield, IL |
Lincoln's Legacy 5K |
2nd (of 45) |
N/A |
|
11/04/2017 |
Indianapolis, IN |
CNO Financial Indianapolis
Monumental 5K |
36th (of 2727) |
1st (of 46) |
|
10/28/2017 |
Forest Park, IL |
Forest Park Casket Races (Team) |
10th (of 12) |
|
|
06/02/2017 |
Springfield, IL |
Lincoln's Legacy 5K |
3rd (of 88) |
N/A |
|
05/20/2017 |
River Forest, IL |
Celebrating Seniors "Blaze a Trail 5K" |
3rd |
N/A |
|
10/23/2016 |
Oak Park, IL |
Frank Lloyd Wright Races
10K |
15th (of 735) |
1st (of 49) |
|
10/22/2016 |
Forest Park, IL |
Forest Park Casket Races (Team) |
10th (of 10) |
|
|
10/02/2016 |
Hodgenville, KY |
Lincoln Days
"Railsplitter 5K" |
5th |
|
|
09/17/2016 |
River Forest, IL |
Makin' Tracks 5K Run/Walk |
2nd (of 217) |
N/A |
|
07/04/2016 |
Riverside, IL |
Riverside Independence Day 5K Run |
15th |
3rd |
|
05/14/2016 |
River Forest, IL |
Celebrating Seniors "Blaze a Trail 5K" |
1st |
N/A |
|
04/10/2016 |
Oak Park, IL |
Good Life Race
5K |
83rd (of 481) |
8th (of 62) |
|
11/14/2015 |
Petersburg, IL |
Abe's Trail Trek 5K |
3rd (of 117) |
N/A |
|
10/18/2015 |
Oak Park, IL |
Frank Lloyd Wright Races
5K |
3rd |
N/A |
|
10/04/2015 |
Hodgenville, KY |
Lincoln Days
"Railsplitter 5K" |
4th (of 48) |
|
|
05/01/2002 |
Washington, DC |
SGMA Capital Challenge 3 Mile
Race (US EPA team) |
|
|
Triathlons in Which Mr. Lincoln Has Participated
|
Date |
Location |
Event |
Overall Place* |
Swim/Bike/Run* |
Age Group* |
|
07/27/2024 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's
Olympic Triathlon (Lake
Springfield Triathlon) |
58th (of 91) |
87th/63rd/18th |
3rd (of 4) |
|
07/29/2023 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's
Olympic Triathlon (Lake
Springfield Triathlon) |
49th (of 107) |
82th/70th/18th |
3rd (of 5) |
|
07/30/2022 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's
Olympic Triathlon (Lake
Springfield Triathlon) |
58th (of 102) |
88th/66th/18th |
6th (of 9) |
|
05/08/2021 |
Petersburg, IL
|
Pioneer Sprint Triathlon |
38th (of 115) |
88th/42nd/6th |
2nd (of 10) |
|
05/08/2021 |
Petersburg, IL |
Abe's Mini Triathlon |
10th (of 52) |
16th/8th/1st |
1st (of 4) |
|
07/25/2020 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's Olympic Triathlon |
45th (of 82) |
68th/58th/20th |
6th (of 11) |
|
07/27/2019 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's Olympic Triathlon |
47th (of 96) |
85th/47th/12th |
3rd (of 6) |
|
05/04/2019 |
Petersburg, IL
|
Pioneer Sprint Triathlon |
34th (of 100) |
89th/42nd/12th |
5th (of 9) |
|
05/04/2019 |
Petersburg, IL |
Abe's Mini Triathlon |
11th (of 61) |
29th/14th/4th |
2nd (of 3) |
|
06/16/2018 |
Petersburg, IL |
Stovepipe Sprint Triathlon |
22nd (of 70) |
55th/25th/3rd |
2nd (of 5) |
|
07/29/2017 |
Springfield, IL |
Iron Abe Olympic Triathlon |
69th (of 145) |
130th/64th/10th |
3rd (of 5) |
|
06/17/2017 |
Petersburg, IL |
Stovepipe Sprint Triathlon |
21st (of 89) |
53rd/26th/3rd |
4th (of 7) |
* The triathlon results generally include all of the participants, including those in the "Clydesdale/Athena"
and wetsuit categories.
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