Name Frank Purdy

Maniac #724

State you live in Washington

How many marathons / ultra marathons have you run? 17/9

What was the first race you ever ran? (Any distance) 880 yards as an eighth-grader in Nashville, Tenn., in 1967.

What was the first marathon you ever ran? What year did you run it? Did you have fun that day? Mount Si Marathon in 1983. Almost ran negative splits. Yeah, cool.

How long have you been a runner and why did you start running? Since grade-school days. I always thought Peter Snell looked way cool as the man in black.

Why did you decide to become a Maniac? Or what inspired you? I'm course marshal at the Yakima River Canyon Marathon, which was a Maniacs reunion race in 2007. They appeared to be enjoying life far too much to be legal.

Of all the races out there in this world, which one would you most like to run?

If you could run a marathon / ultra accompanied by anyone either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?

What was you most memorable marathon and why? Western States, for the cachet, or Ironman Canada, for the cross-training.

If someone asked you to pick a race for him or her that they could run a PR at, which race would you suggest? The easiest way is to find a distance they've never run before.

What was the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a race? From Washington state to Tennessee, ostensibly to visit family.

Do any of your non-running friends or family members thing that you’re crazy for running as much as you do? What are some of their comments to you? Not when I tell 'em I survived a heart attack at age 39 -- doctors said running saved me.

If personal obligations or finances were not an issue, how many marathons would you run in one year? Hadn't really thought about it. Maybe 10-15.

From what race did you receive your favorite finishers medal? Any medal that's handed out by ubervolunteer Lenore Dolphin.

Where do you keep your finisher medals? A baby carriage contains a doll passed down from my mother. The medals go around the doll's neck.

Do you wear your race t-shirts? What do you do with the ones you don’t wear? I wear the cool ones and the tech ones. Once I sent a bunch with a medical team to Central America. I always wondered how "Renton Romp" went over in Managua.

If you could put on a marathon anywhere in the world, where would you have it? The now under-construction William O. Douglas Trail in the Cascades west of Yakima.

Maniac Yellow, or Maniac Black? Black looks better on me, but the yellow really pops the eyeballs.

What is your favorite pre race meal? Post race meal? Dry cereal (except for the milk). Salmon and rice afterward.

What is your energy gel of choice? Sport drink of choice? Not picky.

Which race would you never run again and why? I'll have to get back to you.

What was the most challenging race or combination of races you’ve ever done and why? Climb a Mountain 34-miler from downtown Spokane to the top of Mount Spokane on a 90-degree July day. I didn't make it and wound up in an aid car.

What is a typical training week like for you? How many miles do you run? Any cross training? When just running, 35-40 miles/week. Warm weather finds more bicycling and swimming with running about 15-25 miles/week. Triathlon training, IMHO, marvelously complements ultratraining.

Do you have a training partner? If so, who is it? I work swing shift. It's a hassle finding people.

What kind of shoes do you train in? Do you race in a different shoe? Saucony works well. I run with a heavy foot.

What are your short-term running goals? Centennial Trail ultra in Spokane.

What are your long-term running goals? Someday, another 24-hour run.

Assuming you have time, what do you do for fun other than run marathons? Movies, concerts, volunteering with the running club and Toppenish High School track and cross-country teams. Also a union steward at work.

Who is your favorite Super Hero? Superman, Wonder Woman, Main Maniac (with cat on head) Mighty Mouse chasing the cat on the Maniac's head. I dig role reversal.