ipate, and it seemed like a really daunting thing for me at the time.” Croft said. “She’s one ofmy dearest friends, so I thought, ‘If she’s asking me, I’m going to do it.’ It was a great experience, something I’ll definitely do again. Truly some of the best people on the planet ran in that group with me, so it was very re- warding, very gratifying.” At everymoment of the 40-hour endeavor,
someone from the team was running, which wouldn’t have been possible without the sup- port crew.
year was full of rain and heat, and he even started bleeding because his water-plastered clothes were rubbing on his skin. Though the run was uncomfortable, his
family and friends helped himacross the state, Teeples said. “I had my wife, my daughter and my sister
crewme across the state, and we had a number of my friends come pace me while I was run- ning just to keep me company and keep me going,” he said. “Probably a dozen different people or more helped accomplish that task
on aHouse ofHeroes home as a project, so not only did these guys raise all thatmoney to help the program, but we’re also going to work on a home ourselves,”Miller said. Teeples said he enjoys seeing the contribu-
tions House of Heroes makes to the commu- nity first-hand, which is why he volunteers to work on the houses as well. “I’ve worked on about 25 houses, and it’s
just as fun as running across the state and rais- ing money, maybe more so because you really do make a difference in their life,” Teeples
AnnMiller hands off the baton. “The teamthat wasn’t running would be in
the RV, and they would jump ahead four legs to the team transition point, and that would allow the runners in the RV to either rest or recover, eat, clean up, whatever they needed to do,” said support team member Steve Miller. “The other part of the teamwas in the truck. There were three people in the truck waiting to run, and one person was on the road running.” The heat of summer was dangerous for the
runners, so the support crew provided a steady supply of water and sometimes iced them down with sponges when it got too hot. “The biggest thing forme was tomake sure
the only thing the runners had to worry about was running, recovery and resting,” Miller said. “If they had to worry about anything else, then we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do.” Supports crews were an integral part of Teeple’s first race as well. Teeples said the first
The team’s RV gave the runners a place to rest or recover, eat and clean up.
and were all part of that success the first year. Without them, it never would have hap- pened.” The run usually starts in Columbus and
ends at the other end of the state, but Gerkin said this year the runners asked to switch it around so their families could greet them at the finish line. Croft said her daughter came fromAtlanta
to cheer as the ‘8 Over 40 in Under 40’ team finished the race. “She was so proud,”Croft said. “To see that
pride was the sweetest thing, and my mother- in-law had a sign saying ‘Welcome home’ to our team. There were a ton of people down here, and they cheered for all the teams com- ing in so enthusiastically and so warmly.” Miller said he wasn’t sure if the teamwould
run together again next year, but they will sup- port House of Heroes in other ways. “The one thing that I think is important to know is that we as a team are going to work
said. “You go out there one day and these folks are so happy to see you, and when you get done they’re just beaming with joy.” Gerkin said she admires the runners for
their generosity and dedication. “These people not only give their time and
their bodies and their talent, but they’re also asking others to donate toHouse ofHeroes, so it’s heroes helping heroes,” Gerkin said. “It’s incredible.”
8 Over 40 in Under 40
TeamMembers ScottMcCranie Dan Bennett Brad Scott
Shannon Croft Steve Peralta Mark Gerkin AnnMiller Kathy Lyon
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