Mary Kaplan loves to run. In cold or warm weather. In Ohio or Texas. From 5k’s to a half marathon and road races to trail runs. At night or in color. She has run a race in every state in the U.S. and in January, the active 75-year-old will run number 1,000 at McKinney’s fourth annual Fight Back 5K fund-raising event, which helps the American Cancer Society fight cancer and enrich cancer survivors’ lives. It’s a cause that is close to Mary’s heart.
“My sister, who was also a runner, died of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as we were preparing to run a marathon,” said Mrs. Kaplan. “I run my races for her as well as for me and any event that raises money to fight cancer is a good cause.
“My goal is to complete 1,000 races before I turn 76 years of age which will be in April 2015,” said Mrs. Kaplan. “I have a number of running friends in the DFW area who are cheering me on and want to help me celebrate this milestone.”
Mary began running at the age of 43, after she retired from serving as a nurse for 30 years in the Air Force. She wanted to stay healthy as she aged and be a role model for others. Her first running goal was to run at least a 5k race in every state and win first place in her age group. She accomplished that in 2008.
Her motto, “Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do,” is on her pink running shirt that she wears to races. Pink so that her husband Hal can pick her out of the crowd.
“He’s my biggest fan and encourager,” says Mary. “Hal is at every race taking pictures, holding warm-up clothes and keys. He is unable to run himself because of medical problems, but at home during the week when I run, he rides his bike with me so I don’t get lonely.”
Mary is also currently working on running a race in every Texas county. She has completed 185 of the 254 counties.
“I have one more scheduled for this year,” said Mrs. Kaplan. “It is going more slowly now because what is left are some very small counties who have never had 5k races, but we are continuing to try to convince more counties to do so.”
Participants may walk or run in the Fight Back 5K which will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 10 at Stonebridge United Methodist Church, located at 1800 S. Stonebridge Dr. in McKinney. It is presented by the 2015 ACS Relay For Life of McKinney team Hope Bleeds Purple, in honor of the Relay For Life theme color, purple. The 5K is fun, challenging and certified. It will be chip timed by Race Chip Timing. The net proceeds from Fight Back 5K will benefit the American Cancer Society.
“We are so glad Mary chose the Fight Back 5K as her 1,000th race,” said Sherry Jeffcoat, co-team captain for the Hope Bleeds Purple Relay For Life team. “This event celebrates the lives of people who are battling cancer, remembers loved ones lost, and fights back against cancer. By participating, people are personally taking steps to save lives and fight back against a disease that takes too much.”
The online pre-registration fee is $30 thru January 9. Race day on-site registration will be $35. Register online at https://secure.GetMeRegistered.com/fightback5K.
Precision Align & Auto Service in McKinney, are the Presenting Sponsor for the Fight Back 5K. In addition, Fight Back 5K has opened up t-shirt sponsorship opportunities for this event. For $250 your company will be listed as a supporting sponsor and will receive the following:
- Small logo on back of race shirts (guaranteed deadline for logo is December 21)
- Booth at race (please provide your own table)
- Name listed on thank you board
- Information included in packet pick up (deadline for materials is January 2)
For information about Fight Back 5K sponsorship opportunities please email fightback5kmckinney@yahoo.com.
All about Mary
By the numbers:
- 30 - Number of years in the Air Force
- 43 - Age of her first race in Atlanta
- 50 - Number of states Mary has run in
- 75 - Her age
- 185 - Number of Texas counties so far
- 1000 - Number of races by her 76th birthday