With a slight breeze blowing and the sun shining, 60-year-old Lorenzo “The Running Man” Hopson out-paced the other 1,000 Mile Club members in a Nov. 14 marathon run and once again triumphed.
He completed the 26.2 miles in 3:31:47, just missing the San Quentin record of 3:26:00, which he set earlier, by 5 minutes and 47 seconds.
“The yard going down, that messes up your rhythm,” Hopson said after the race. “I’ve been No. 1 three times in row, but this one is the second fastest time.”
Darren Settlemyer, who ran 20 miles, said, “It was a fantastic run. Having Diane, Frank, Kevin, RJ and Jim come in to help and contribute is awesome.”
After 16 miles Louis Hunter stepped off the track. “I got too many injuries this trip and I’m trying to work through it. I took three weeks off attempting to rest up, but I might’ve taken too much time,” said Hunter, who started an hour and 20 minutes after all the other runners.
Edward “Wakil” Scott only ran four miles. “I had intentions to run more, but Alllah gave me what I put in. I didn’t put in any work, so I didn’t get any more than I put in,” said Scott.
Eric “Abdu’l Wahid” Moody completed 13.1 miles, a personal best, in 2 hours and 21 minutes. “I thought I had at least 75 percent of it in me, but my calves started burning and I got tired. I’m not ready for the full 26.2 yet, but I’ll get there,” said Moody.
Eddie DeWeaver ran 13.1 miles. “I’m really tired. I went to Ad Seg last night; my whole schedule is thrown off — eating, sleeping, everything. But, I still came out to support the program,” he said.
Bernard “Abdur RaHiym” Ballard, completed 13.1 miles in 2:10:18 for the first time. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to use this as a stepping stone for the next season,” he said.
During their run the runners took salt pills and plenty of water. After the run they received granola bars.
“This is the half training, half marathon run today,” said Chris Schumacher, laughing. He completed 13.1 miles in 1:52:08.
The 1,000 Mile Club is a group of San Quentin athletes who have committed themselves to running as a way to aid in their personal rehabilitation.
Sponsor Kevin Runyon said, “Running and sports within the prison setting in general are goal orientated: physical fitness, meditation and even prayer for some. We know what it is, however, whether the powers that be see it that way is another story.”
Larry Ford finished the run 3:55:26 and was reflective. “It was tough. At 58 – I’ll be 59 in December – it was tough, but if I’m running, I’m vertical. If I’m vertical, I’m running,” said Ford.
Other 26.2 miles Finishers:
Glen Mason
Age: 53 Time: 03:46:44
Sergio Carrillo
41 03:52:48
Larry Ford
58 03:55:26
Miguel Quezada
32 04:09:38
Carlos Ramirez
32 04:10:38
Michael Keeyes
67 04:29:00
Clifton Williams
52 04:58:10
