Mark Buciak has 110,000 lifetime miles, plus one new heart valve

Mark Buciak
Chicago, IL
DOB: 5-1-1959
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From Mark: I began my running career on August 25, 1974 at my first day of Cross Country practice at Gordon Tech High School and have never stopped. My yearly average is about 3500 miles. I have completed 52 marathons (PB: 2:30) in my lifetime, including the last 29 consecutive Boston Marathons. I am the youngest member of the Boston's Quarter Century Club. The only thing I love more than running is encouraging other runners. I created THE ROAD TO BOSTON Training Program and Running Camps (www.theroadtoboston.info), so I can share my knowledge with others. I met my wife Barrie when she attended one of my seminars as she was training for her first Boston. Barrie has PR of 3:29, has now run 6 Bostons, and is working on her first 100K. As far as anyone knows, Barrie and I have run more Boston Marathons, 35 combined, than any other married couple.

I have 3 pieces of advice for my fellow runners: (1) Always carry an ID with you when you go out to run; (2) Take a yearly class to be certified in CPR, as you may save a life on the running path; (3) Go for an annual physical including an EKG. This could save your life. It saved mine. On February 1, 2006, I stopped running for about 2 months to recover from open heart surgery. Less than 11 weeks after my surgery, I completed my 27th straight Boston. My annual physical saved my life.