Local

Teacher commits to racing for a cure

By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer

Jan. 25, 2002 - Karen Lounsbury ran 13 miles during a January marathon at Walt Disney World. The three hours of pounding the pavement through the theme park were grueling but Lounsbury did not give up.

As each step got harder, she would look at her bracelet. It bore the name “Sarah,” a 12-year-old Statesville girl with leukemia. Lounsbury was running to raise money for a cure.

“When you think about what these kids have to go through to fight leukemia… I can quit. They can’t,” Lounsbury said. “When things get rough, I remember I don’t have it so bad.”

January was Lounsbury’s third fund raising run. In 2001 and 2000, she ran full 26-mile marathons. Studying for a graduate degree at UNC-Charlotte this year limited Lounsbury’s training time. She opted to run a half marathon.

“I was really glad I did two. I wanted to see if I could do a marathon,” she said. “I always thought it was cool but I never thought I would until this program.”

Lounsbury, an athlete in high school and college, stayed away from running, instead choosing sports like rugby, softball and field hockey.

“I hated running,” she said.

Lounsbury and 12 people from Hickory and Statesville trained together since fall. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training brought the group together and supplied a coach.

“You commit to raising the funds and they will train you,” Lounsbury said.

The group meet for sunrise runs on Saturdays. Lounsbury ran, swam and lifted weights through the week.

“It’s a great way to stay in shape,” she said.

In 2000, Lounsbury, then a marathon novice, was also assigned a mentor. Now she serves as a mentor to other beginning runners. This year, Lounsbury helped one runner sell doughnuts to come up with the $3,000 each participant must raise.

Lounsbury asked fellow teachers at S. Ray Lowder Elementary and other county schools to pledge funds for her run.

Runners raise the $3,000 and the Leukemia Society pays their airfare and lodging.

Lounsbury met runners from California, Texas, New Hampshire and other states during the run. Some were running for leukemia and lymphoma research, others were raising funds for diabetes.

This year Lounsbury’s husband Steve joined her for the run.

Few runners participate for prize money. Most are testing their own endurance and many are raising money for charities, she said. Lounsbury describes the race as non-competitive.

“If you finish, you win,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of nice people.”

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Lounsbury is still collecting funds for her run. Donations may be mailed to S. Ray Lowder Elementary, 350 Kennedy Drive, Lincolnton, N.C. 28092. Checks should be made out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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