This Saturday, August 8, 2009, marks the 20th running of the annual Lodi Library Run & Walk. Since the running of that first race, an amazing $60,000 has been raised to benefit the local public library. Proceeds from the run have helped pay off the building, purchase lots of great DVD & CDs, and helped the library stay up-to-date on technology.
One enthusiastic runner who’ll be hitting the pavement this coming Saturday morning is Dan Calef, Adams County Library Director. Dan has been running and racing for about 45 years. He admits that “Unlike most people who run in high school or college, I never stopped. Obviously running has been good for me physically and mentally but the social aspect at the races is also very important.” Dan illustrates that point by relating the story of his stop at the Culvers in Portage last summer. He was about to pay for his order when a kid yelled out from the kitchen, “Hey … give that guy his meal for free. I run against him every week --- he’s terrific!”
“Never blessed with speed, I always did better the longer the race. I actually had considerable success as an ultra-marathoner. I ran the Edmund Fitzgerald 100K (62 miles) ten times and finished as high as 4th one year. The greatest race ever was a 24 hour race in California about 15 years ago where I ran 125 miles and finished 2nd." (Way to go, Dan!)
“Lately I have been running MUCH shorter races that include the 5K Lodi Library Run & Walk. It is a wonderful event and I have run it every year since I returned to Wisconsin (from Canada) in 2000. Peg Hilliker was one of the nice librarians who made me feel so welcome back in the Badger State. We all miss her.” (Peg Hilliker, former Lodi Public Library Director, passed away on November 13, 2008, after a short but intense battle with cancer. This year’s race brochure honors Peg with the salute “This one’s for you, Peg!)
We salute you, too, Dan --- good luck and safe travels as you make your way along the course on Saturday! Thanks for running on behalf of the Lodi Library! (Note: Pledges for Dan are welcome from any and all interested parties. To sponsor Dan, please send checks (made out to the Lodi Library Run & Walk) to him at the Adams County Library.)