Leon Lentz

Sponsoring organization

The Paper Place in Willmar

Job title

Owner/Operator

Fun Running Fact:

I've run over 30 marathons, from Chequamegon Bay to the Boston Marathon, plus several hundred road races, and I've taken wrong turns in at least six races which allowed me to finish 1st and 3rd at Walnut Grove and 4th and 12th at Eden Prairie!

How many times have you run the Foot Lake 4?

Only once because we're so busy and there are so many jobs to do to "run" the race that I couldn't take time away to physically run the race. But I've been here every year - all 15 years.

Why do you volunteer for the Foot Lake 4?

I don't know - why do I do it?!! It's Chuck Roelofs fault, I guess, but once I started doing it, I loved it. It's a way to give back to runners and the community. Lorry Massa once said it's a labor of love and that's what it is. I get to work with such nice people - we have a good group. They're smart and have good ideas.

What's one of the most important jobs you do as race director?

I think it's to make sure that the runners have a nice course and a smooth-flowing event.

We also try to start the award ceremony promptly after the race.

Do you have advice for new race runners?

Enjoy the people - enjoy the camaraderie and friendships. Talk to fellow runners.

Don't push too hard. There's an old saying that rest is part of your training, you don't need to train seven days a week, five or six days are enough.

How does a runner know when he or she is ready to race?

It's different for everybody. After you've been running for awhile, you'll just know when that time is.

What kind of race should a new runner start in?

Start with a short race, a 5-k is reasonable, then work your way up.

Rice Memorial Hospital organizes and is the major sponsor of the annual Foot Lake Four Walk / Run. >> www.ricehospital.com