Journalism sophomore Isaac Easley III has trained in martial arts for four years and was captain of his track, wrestling and football teams at Peoria High School, but until the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 to Benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Easley never wanted to run a marathon.
“It’s kinda cool cause everyone’s there for a good cause. They’re there to run,” Easley III said. “I am like, that’s awesome. Good cause and were running? Sweet.”
This is the 13th year that the race has been held in San Diego and last years first place winner finished the 26.2 mile race in less than three hours, according to the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Web site.
This year the race will take place on June 6. Participants receive free admission to the post-event concert where over 40 bands are scheduled to play, including Castillo and Neverwonder. Participants can also receive awards by age division.
Kristin Steele, the senior campaign manager for the team Easley III is competing on from the Desert Mountain States Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said the purpose of the foundation is very important.
Steele wrote in an e-mail interview the goal of the foundation is to “Cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and Myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”
Easley III hopes to raise $5,000 for the foundation, which is $2,000 more than the amount set by the chapter for each participant. If he reaches his goal, he said he will dye his hair maroon and gold for the race.
“We’re at $250,” Easley III said. “We got till May. So I am not worried. $250 for the first week; I am like yeah, my little chart moved. I am at seven percent of the way there.”
Easley III does not know anyone who has suffered from the disease, but would like to honor anyone who has, by wearing his or her name or picture on his shirt.
Easley III got into touch with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society when he searched “running marathon” on Google and then went on to the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Web site.
Easley III said that since he used to run the 800 meter in high school he thought a marathon would not be that much more difficult, but has since changed his mind.
“Only a few more 800s; how hard can it be? It’s really, really hard,” Easley III said.
Easley III, while passionate about playing sports, also has a passion for his major, which is broadcast journalism. He is the sports director for the State Press and has an internship at ABC-15, where he compiles sports packages.
Easley III said he is so enthusiastic about his stories he even made his first distance race into a package where he taped himself with a hand-held video camera.
“I guess that’s more accomplishment,” Easley III said. “Like people can do a marathon, but how many people can do a marathon with like a video camera in their hand the whole time?”
While this marathon will be Easley III’s fifth distance race, he has had little other training, but he does exercise.
Steele said that her charity’s sport training is one of the best in the world.
“We provide four to five months of fitness training by knowledgeable coaches and the opportunity to be part of a supportive team,” Steele said. “Participants come from all walks of life — from novice to seasoned athlete.”
Easley III said he has a plan for succeeding in the race.
“Run, that’s it,” Easley III said. “Just run, run, run, and more run. A little yoga. I do yoga. Keep that on the down low though. You don’t want guys in yoga.”
Steele said some people are hesitant to begin training for a marathon.
“When people first learn of our program, they may think that there’s no way that they could run a marathon or 1/2 marathon, hike the Grand Canyon, ride 100 miles on a bike or complete a triathlon, but they become amazed at what they can do,” Steele said. “Helping to fund lifesaving research becomes their motivation, and knowing that their efforts are paying off by helping others makes everyone feel great.”
Easley III said to run a race like this, he does have to be self-motivated.
“Other people go out and party. Hit up the club. I am running 13 miles to have fun,” Easley III said.
Easley III said his parents, who live in Peoria, will be accompanying him to San Diego. He said he would not be able to reach his full potential without them.
“I have to have my family there. My family is like my big support,” Easley III said. “Like I can hear my dad’s voice through everything. At the end he’s like ‘Come on Isaac, you can do it.’”
Isaac Easley II, Easley III’s father, said he supports Easley III no matter what happens in this upcoming race and wants to see his son succeed.
“I think he is going to do fine. If he does not finish that’s okay too. You know, win, lose, or draw. He’s working his tail off to get there,” Easley II said.
The money Easley III will pay for Easley’s plane ticket, race registration, hotel room and the rest will benefit the foundation.
“I ran (another marathon) in four hours and 57 minutes,” Easley III said. “I want to run San Diego under four. I know that’s a huge difference, but then again I have more then a month of training under my belt.”
Contact the reporter at saegan@asu.edu
