Thousands will be competing in tomorrow’s Beach to Bay Marathon.
It’s a race for many.
But for others, it’s a way to give back.
Corpus Christi assistant police chief Mark Schauer is taking off his badge and putting on his blue and green running shoes.
“I can think the most clearly when I’m running. It’s really an enjoyable experience for me,” Schauer said. “And that’s why I don’t listen to music. I just enjoy that peacefulness. The solitude.”
Schauer will be running all 26.2 miles of the marathon for the fourth time.
“Well, I train quite a bit,” he said. “I had a marathon in Oklahoma City not quite three weeks ago so I haven’t run that much between now and then just to give my legs kind of a rest. But I ran eight miles over the weekend so I feel good.”
And there’s a reason for all of that hard training and why this marathon, in particular, is so important to him.
“It’s for the law enforcement officers who have died in the line of service,” he said. “Since I’ve been on the department we’ve had five officers killed in the line of duty.”
He runs to remember his friends and late colleagues. Sgt. Joseph Bock, Sr. Officer Juan Prieto, Police Officer Matthew Thebeau, Lt. Stuart Alexander and Chief Floyd Simpson.
“Every mile I would try to say a prayer. If I’m lucid enough to do that,” Schauer said. “That’s what I’d like to do. Say a small prayer every mile.”
A way to remember fallen heroes – one mile at a time.
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day.
Schauer will also be running in honor of his daughter, who is serving in the United States Army.
