Community/Miscellaneous Programs
libraries, parades, conventions, & more |
School Programs
from kindergarten through university |
Church Programs
for churches & other Christian organizations |
"Running Abe"
"Fastest Abe in the West" |
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
a number of 5K races, one 10K, 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). |
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 perhaps some help with travel
expenses/lodging.
Next race(s):
-May 21:
Spring into Fitness 5K (Adrian, MI: start/finish at
Lincoln Elementary School)
-July 30:
Abe's
Olympic Triathlon (Springfield, IL) |
Races/Triathlons in Which Mr. Lincoln Has Participated
Date |
Location |
Event |
Overall Place* |
Place in Age Group* |
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) |
05/08/2021 |
Petersburg, IL
|
Pioneer Sprint Triathlon |
38th (of 115)
[S/B/R: 88th/42nd/6th] |
2nd (of 10) |
05/08/2021 |
Petersburg, IL |
Abe's Mini Triathlon |
10th (of 52)
[S/B/R: 16th/8th/1st] |
1st (of 4) |
07/25/2020 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's Olympic Triathlon |
45th (of 82)
[S/B/R: 68th/58th/20th] |
6th (of 11) |
09/28/2019 |
Lerna, IL |
Harvest Frolic 5K Run (at Lincoln
Log Cabin State Historical Site) |
1st (of about 20) |
N/A |
07/27/2019 |
Springfield, IL |
Abe's Olympic Triathlon |
47th (of 96)
[S/B/R: 85th/47th/12th] |
3rd (of 6) |
07/04/2019 |
Riverside, IL |
Riverside Independence Day 5K Run |
22nd (of 369) |
2nd (of 16) |
05/04/2019 |
Petersburg, IL
|
Pioneer Sprint Triathlon |
34th (of 100)
[S/B/R: 89th/42nd/12th] |
5th (of 9) |
05/04/2019 |
Petersburg, IL |
Abe's Mini Triathlon |
11th (of 61)
[S/B/R: 29th/14th/4th] |
2nd (of 3) |
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 |
06/16/2018 |
Petersburg, IL |
Stovepipe Sprint Triathlon |
22nd (of 70)
[S/B/R: 55th/25th/3rd] |
2nd (of 5) |
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) |
|
07/29/2017 |
Springfield, IL |
Iron Abe Olympic Triathlon |
69th (of 145)
[S/B/R: 130th/64th/10th] |
3rd (of 5) |
06/17/2017 |
Petersburg, IL |
Stovepipe Sprint Triathlon |
21st (of 89)
[S/B/R: 53rd/26th/3rd] |
4th (of 7) |
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) |
|
|
* The triathlon results generally include all of the participants, including those in the "Clydesdale/Athena"
and wetsuit categories.
|