If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.
Lake Highlands resident Marcus Grunewald enacted this mantra when a leg injury received while training for the White Rock Marathon rendered him unable to run. That was 12 years ago, and he has been volunteering ever since, including serving as race director for the past five years. When the board decided to start paying someone to oversee the marathon, Grunewald was the obvious choice.
What qualified you for the job?
As a veteran of 10 Dallas White Rock Marathons and 15 other marathons, countless 5K, 10K and longer road races, triathlons, bike rallies and other extreme sports, I was very familiar with what it took to take such an outstanding event to the next level. Plus, my business background as a financial analyst made me good with numbers.
How did the White Rock Marathon begin?
The marathon began in 1971 when Tal Morrison, an avid runner and unofficial founding father of the marathon, placed a $25 ad in Runner’s World Magazine, beckoning runners from around the country to come to Dallas. Morrison’s vision became reality on March 6, 1971, when 82 runners from as far away as South Dakota, New York and California took their marks for the 26.2-mile journey that officially launched the first White Rock Marathon. When the last of 61 runners crossed the finish line, it was clear that a tradition had begun.
How has it evolved?
The marathon now serves as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon, and has earned a reputation in running communities throughout the country as one of the top-notch races in the nation, helping to enlist first-class runners. In 1981, Julie Brown raced against 1,500 female runners and set the female course record of 2:33:39. One year later, John Lodwick set the standing course record of 2:12:18, an amazing feat.
The race is also recognized for its contributions to charity. How did this come about?
The White Rock Marathon’s board of directors decided to name Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children as its primary beneficiary in 1997. Since then, the marathon has donated more than $700,000 to assist the hospital in its mission to provide the highest quality of orthopedic care to children. They also care for children with neurological disorders, like cerebral palsy, or learning differences, such as dyslexia and ADHD. They do all of this at no cost to the families.
What motivates people to run such a grueling race?
Some people run the race because of the sheer challenge. But a lot of people participate because of personal reasons. They want to lose weight or to deal with their grief or other personal issues. Some of most touching stories involve people who run in remembrance of loved ones. One was the father who ran in memory of his son who was lost in battle. Another was the sister who ran because her brother, who had always wanted to run a marathon, had his life cut short by cancer. This year, one person will run while pushing a young girl with cerebral palsy. A mother is running to help raise funds for Scottish Rite, which will be treating her two-month-old child for the next 18 years. And a past scoliosis patient is running to give something back to the Scottish Rite Hospital.
Does anything give Dallas an edge?
Compared to other world-renowned marathons, Dallas has what it takes to become one of the best — good infrastructure and great weather, Texas hospitality and a proven race course. We want to help get Dallas recognized as one of the premier marathons in the world and to generate fundraising to a level that would make us the top event donor to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
The 38th annual Wellstone’s Dallas White Rock Marathon is Sunday, Dec. 9. For more information on how to participate or volunteer, visit runtherock.com.
