Q&A: Gary Spehar is on 100th Marathon and Counting

There's no stopping this North Canton resident; he's about to embark on his 100th marathon — the Canton Marathon, taking place June 17

Gary Spehar has traveled all over to compete in marathons. His passion for running has even taken him to Boston 13 times (yes, 13) for the Boston Marathon. But as he comes up on his 100th marathon, Spehar tells us he's happy to keep it local. He's saved the milestone for the Canton Marathon, taking place June 17. Below, Spehar shares his thoughts on running — why he does it, what it means to him — and what events like the Canton Marathon mean to his community. North Canton Patch: One hundred races sounds cool to me, but is it just a number to you or does it really mean something? Gary Spehar: It does. I had run my first marathon when I turned 40 years old, and I never intended to run a certain number of them. But after I got over the …

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Road to the Canton Marathon: If It Could Go Wrong, It Did Go Wrong

This is a tale of an epic failure of a marathon training run that has not left me feeling like an epic failure

Road to the Canton Marathon: Marathon Training Hurts

If marathon training hurts this much, why do so many people do it?

Canton Marathon Course to be Announced in North Canton

Inaugural race to come through the city in summer of 2012

North Canton residents can learn how they can take part in the inaugural Canton Marathon course at 6 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 10) at the Fairways at Arrowhead Golf Course Clubhouse. The meeting will not only announce the course, but it will also have guest speakers, training information and door prizes. “We are pleased to announce that North Canton will be part of the 2012 course,” said Julia Dick, Canton Marathon co-founder. “There’s no better place to showcase our event than North Canton. There’s a real sense of community.” The inaugural marathon will take place June 17, 2012. Event proceeds will go toward deserving organizations in Stark County. Canton Marathon Running Club provides opportunities for physical fitness through running, walking…

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