Christie Clinic IL Marathon: Running Knows No Age
Updated: April 16, 2012
Soon to be 81 year-old Joe Bannon is dedicated.
"I run 5 days a week, a 5K each time and then do 25 or 30 minutes of exercises," he says.
He's been running for 50 years and still hasn't lost his passion for pounding the pavement. This year, he's running the 5K for the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.
"This has been part of my life. It's a very very high priority for me to stick with maintaining the health and run," he adds.
Running is a lifestyle Joe is passing down.
"My two sons run and I love running when them so it's kind of a family activity for me," says Joe.
Joe's son Peter has been running with his dad for years.
"We've run 8 marathons together," says Peter.
Peter says the time they spend together getting ready for races helps him get closer to his dad. "When you're training you spend hundreds of hours together out on the streets just the two of you," he explains.
Peter is running the 5K Friday night, then the half marathon Saturday.
He's run a lot of races, but some of his first are his most memorable.
"Did you ever race your dad when you were younger?" we asked Peter.
"We did, a lot...lost most of the time," he responded.
Now the tables are turned.
Joe's strides aren't as long as Peter's anymore, his gait isn't as smooth, and his once little boy now towers over him.
But Peter says, in this pair, he's still the one looking up.
"It's an inspiration, because when I get to that age hopefully I can be doing more than sitting in a chair."
Joe is both defying and embracing his age. He doesn't consider himself old, but he knows someday he'll have to stop running.
He says that day won't come for a long time.
"80 more years?" we asked him jokingly.
"Why not?" he responded without missing a beat.
Joe's grand-kids have even gotten into running.
The family is getting together for a race this weekend in southern Illinois.
All three generations are participating.
"I run 5 days a week, a 5K each time and then do 25 or 30 minutes of exercises," he says.
He's been running for 50 years and still hasn't lost his passion for pounding the pavement. This year, he's running the 5K for the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.
"This has been part of my life. It's a very very high priority for me to stick with maintaining the health and run," he adds.
Running is a lifestyle Joe is passing down.
"My two sons run and I love running when them so it's kind of a family activity for me," says Joe.
Joe's son Peter has been running with his dad for years.
"We've run 8 marathons together," says Peter.
Peter says the time they spend together getting ready for races helps him get closer to his dad. "When you're training you spend hundreds of hours together out on the streets just the two of you," he explains.
Peter is running the 5K Friday night, then the half marathon Saturday.
He's run a lot of races, but some of his first are his most memorable.
"Did you ever race your dad when you were younger?" we asked Peter.
"We did, a lot...lost most of the time," he responded.
Now the tables are turned.
Joe's strides aren't as long as Peter's anymore, his gait isn't as smooth, and his once little boy now towers over him.
But Peter says, in this pair, he's still the one looking up.
"It's an inspiration, because when I get to that age hopefully I can be doing more than sitting in a chair."
Joe is both defying and embracing his age. He doesn't consider himself old, but he knows someday he'll have to stop running.
He says that day won't come for a long time.
"80 more years?" we asked him jokingly.
"Why not?" he responded without missing a beat.
Joe's grand-kids have even gotten into running.
The family is getting together for a race this weekend in southern Illinois.
All three generations are participating.
