Athenian will run 12 hours for Relay for Life

Hundreds of people have trotted around the track at Athens YMCA on Hawthorne Avenue, but Zeb Rogers plans to run around the track for 12 full hours during Clarke Countys upcoming Relay for Life.

I just like going far, and trying to see what I can do, so I guess this is the main reason for the attempt, Rogers said.

Rogers, a certified athletic trainer at Athens Orthopedic Clinic, has participated in Relay for Life before, but its been a few years since he last took part, he said. This years event marks 20 years that Clarke Countys Relay for Life walk has raised money for the American Cancer Society research, as well as programs that support Athens-area people who have cancer.

Rogers has completed several ultramarathons  classified as races longer than a marathons 26.2 miles. Lapping the YMCA track on May 11-12 shouldnt be too bad, he said.

One of the races that I’ve done, it took me a little over six and a half hours, on a trail that was really up and down. The terrain (for that race) was kind of slow going, so I would think that 12 hours on a flat track would be kind of close, Rogers said. The time on my feet is going to be the biggest thing.

Rogers trains by staying on his feet after several hours of running, he said.

Just being on your feet for 12 hours you are going to be tired, so you’ve got to get used to that sort of thing. I am just going to try to keep moving. I am not running any kind of fast pace or anything, Rogers said.

Rogers has participated in races for more than two years, he said. He started by taking on the Athens Half Marathon, then moved to a full marathon before stepping up an ultramarathon.

I love trail running, its a lot more relaxing than just running on a road, Rogers said. i am actually signed up for a trail marathon the weekend after (Relay for Life). Assuming I am able to walk, I am going to try to run that race.

Besides staying on his feet, Rogers also will make sure he eats almost constantly, to replace the calories he is losing while running.

Its kind of an eating contest, while you are running, Rogers said.

Rogers hopes that his goal to run a dozen hours will encourage people to donate to Clarke Countys Relay for Life.

The last time I checked, I had about $250 (in donations), Rogers said. I would like to make this worth my while and collect a good bit of money.

Rogers is a big inspiration to the entire Athens Orthopedic Clinics Relay for Life team, said Bettina Allred, the teams captain.

I don’t think anybodys ever run 12 hours before, Allred said.

The team hopes to encourage people to run with Rogers, so he doesn’t get bored during his 12-hour commitment, she said.

For more information about Clarke Countys Relay for Life on May 11-12, visit bit.ly/InSs1u.