Edwin (Win) Apel ran his first few Marathons almost as a lark. But, it was not until he was diagnosed with cancer that he began taking his marathons to a whole new level. After becoming a survivor rather then a victim, Win resolved to run a marathon (ultra marathon) in every state and on every continent. He has now run 66 marathons, including six continents and 49 states. The only state remaining state is Massachusetts, and he is thrilled to run Boston as his 50th Marathon to help support cancer research for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, at the same time. This July, Win will travel to Australia where he will complete his aspirations.
When recalling his past marathons, Win finds it difficult to determine which has been the best or the toughest. However, in hindsight the most “fun” marathon was Chicago 2005 because he ran with his youngest son who was running his first marathon. He also (independent of the others) ran a half marathon was the Race to Robie Creek in Boise Idaho, a run on a dirt 8 miles up and 5 miles down, and it was his first race after his cancer, and one that gave him the greatest sense of accomplishment. His time was slow, and he has run it twice times since, but it was nothing like the first time. He said that “It may have been the toughest race ever, even more than the Canadian Death Race in the Canadian Rockies” which took him nine hours or some of the ultra marathons which took longer.
All proceeds raised from each DFMC runner will go directly to fund the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, a world-renowned leader in cancer research and treatment. More than $34 million has been raised since the DFMC’s inception in 1990 and hopefully through generous contributions this year’s goal of raising $4.5 million will be met.
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