OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –Bob Schluben completed a task many have never strived for on Sunday. He finished his 52nd marathon in 52 weeks.
It’s a challenge even avid runners consider a stunning feat, but the Lenexa Police Officer took the first step toward that goal in January of this year, when he started this grueling journey. It was a full and difficult year, which included working every week, and running every weekend in every condition from extreme heat to snow, through sickness and even injury.
“It’s been a great year for me but some weeks have been harder than others,” said Schluben of his journey. “I had cuts on my feet and had to go barefoot for a while, not for running the races but to let it heal. I had to bandage my feet for the races after that.”
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Schluben was running to raise money for S.A.F.E., or the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund, which helps families of police and firefighters who have died in the line of duty, and also for the Sunflower House, which helps abused children.
“All the support they give to these children. They need our help and support and people need to know they are in our community,” Schluben said.
Fellow police officers and supporters celebrated his almost impossible accomplishment on Sunday, as he crossed the finish line on marathon number 52.
“It’s like a victory lap for me, a last marathon, but it’s not the end. The finish line is not the true finish line. We have to keep on. We can’t forget about these two organizations and why I did this for the year,” said Schluben of the two organizations his efforts have supported.
Schluben continues to urge supporters to donate to the two organizations.