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| Monday, September 26, 2005 | (No comments posted.)
Jere Kunkle, 62, retired as teacher and coach from Fegely Middle School in 1998 after 31 years. Known as a leader in the local running community, Kunkle has run 40 marathons and been the start/finish line official at all 27 Popcorn Panic 5-mile runs in Valparaiso. Kunkle also has been a part of the Portage football chain gang for more than 30 years. He and his wife, Pat, reside in Valparaiso.
How did you get involved with the Portage chain gang?
A few of us teachers (Jim Martz, Dick Brown, Rick Baron) were up in the stands watching a football game in the early 1970s, and (former athletic director) Larry Casbon approached us. They needed someone to do the chains because someone didn't show up. We've done it ever since.
What are some of the most memorable players, coaches or seasons you can recall?
When Tom Stokes was coaching Valpo, running that single-wing offense, I remember him wearing short sleeves while there were snow flurries. We were all bundled up. The Les Klein era at Portage, and winning the state championship in 1977 was a tremendous season. The classic that year was we got run off the field during the regular season at Merrillville, but then we were able to beat them in the tournament on a field goal.
How did you first become involved in running?
When I was the wrestling coach at Fegely, I severely twisted my ankle and I ballooned up to 195 pounds. I started running laps around the gym, 20 laps to a mile. It took me 15 minutes to do one mile, and another 30 minutes to recover before getting in for a shower.
What led you to compete in marathons?
Steve Kearney, a cross country and track coach at Chesterton, told me I should run races. My first marathon was in 1974 in Terre Haute. It was the first race I ever ran. I went to school that first marathon. My time was 3 hours, 46 minutes, which is my slowest.
How many marathons have you run, and what's your best time?
I've run 40 marathons, but I haven't run one since 1989 because when I train too much I have an old hamstring injury that bothers me. The main ones I ran were Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, Muncie and Chicago a few times. I ran Boston once. My personal record is 2:54:31, and that was in Richmond, Va., where my sister lives. I've broken 3 hours about 12 times.
How did you become involved with the Popcorn Panic?
It used to be organized by the Youth Service Bureau, and they asked people in the local running community to help out. When we first started, you had to keep track of finishers with Popsicle sticks and a tick sheet. It's computerized now, and I'm almost just a cheerleader.
What did you think of Aaron Crague's record-setting performance of 24:10 in this year's Panic?
Obviously, it's the most outstanding ever. He's in a league of his own. I was out on the street, just looking at my watch and the next guy didn't come in for about two minutes. I really think he could take it to the next level and make some money as a runner.
AS TOLD TO PAUL JANKOWSKI, TIMES CORRESPONDENT
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