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Runner honors fallen soldier
POCATELLO — When Rob Gilmore’s children told him he looked like Santa Claus, he decided it was time to get healthy, and he figured running would be the simplest way to accomplish his goal. In January 2005, weighing 335 pounds, he stepped out his front door in Glendale, Ariz., planning on running three miles.
He made it nine houses down the street. But Gilmore persisted. He quit coaching high school football, joined a gym, and steadily worked on his fitness. Inspired by former NFL great Pat Tillman, who grew up a short distance from him in San Jose, Calif., he signed up for Pat’s Run around Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The 4.2 mile race (Tillman wore No. 42 at Arizona State University) is the primary fundraising event for the Pat Tillman Foundation. In October 2005, six months after running his first race, Gilmore ran his first marathon, in Long Beach, Calif. He had dropped 100 pounds and found a new passion in running. Gilmore cites Tillman as the source of his dedication.
“The power of Pat and what he did in his life has had an amazing impact,” Gilmore said in an e-mail to the Journal. The Pocatello Marathon will be Gilmore’s 11th in the U.S. He plans to run a marathon in every state to honor Tillman, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan, and spread awareness about the foundation.
“My goal is to run marathon state No. 50 on the weekend of my 50th birthday in about nine years,” Gilmore said. After each race, Gilmore makes a financial contribution to the Pat Tillman Foundation.
“From his ASU to NFL football days, to the classroom and in the community, Pat Tillman was a fantastic example for all of us,” Gilmore said. Article RatingReader CommentsSubmit a CommentCommenting RulesWe encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are subject to deletion by our Web staff.
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