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Running Man

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By ERIC HORCHY

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: May 3, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - Running is pain, and running is pride. To run requires an inner drive associated with many other sports. This drive motivates those pounding the pavement to continually push themselves despite the intuitive rationale to pull up and call it a day.

Perhaps because of these many conflicting byproducts that come with the sport, a strong passion is developed in those who run seriously.

For athletes like David O'Meara - for whom running is a constant part of life - that passion is taken to the next level.

Starting May 10 on the streets of Tarpon Springs, the Sarasota resident will put his enthusiasm and excitement for the sport on display with the first leg of a nationwide, five-month tour to promote running after age 45.

This isn't some light jogging photo-op event either.

Pitched as 20/20/20 <5@45 O'Meara - who wears many hats in his professional life ranging from coach, to speaker, to author - is also grabbing the opportunity to speak at a variety of functions along the way to further the reach of his efforts. He will also update his online blog twice weekly from the road. He plans to write in the online journal about the experience and what specific training regimens and techniques are best suiting him.

"It's an idea I had about a year ago," O'Meara said during a recent telephone interview. "I was coming into this year as one of the top runners in the country at (age) 45 in the mile. I thought this would be a great way to tour the country and be able to speak and race everywhere to inspire older athletes."

"Since then the idea has really taken off."

In a relatively brief time, O'Meara has organized an event that will take him to 17 different states (including Hawaii and Alaska) as well as British Columbia, Canada. The tour will conclude on Sept. 20 in New York City during the prestigious "5th Avenue Mile."

Dubbed the "Ceremonial Mile," the Tarpon Springs run will be the only event that is not an actual organized race. O'Meara selected Tarpon Springs to be his new "host city" during the tour.

He made the choice, O'Meara explained, in large part because of the potential symbiotic benefits for all involved. As more and more attention is generated leading into the final run, the allure to major media outlets in New York City will be heightened as well, giving Tarpon a piece of the stage, he believes.

Another of those mutual gains involves Tarpon's deep-rooted Greek heritage and its involvement in the Sister City program with the island of Kalymnos.

Vasile G. Faklis, a friend to O'Meara, helped generate the idea of bringing the event to Tarpon to also help promote the Sister City campaign. Faklis is a Tarpon Springs resident.

"The goal is to tie it all in together," Faklis said, adding that they would like to execute a similar event with O'Meara next year in Greece. "It's exciting; we think everything will work out really well."
Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris said she was immediately attracted to the potential the event held after Faklis, who operates Faklis Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, came to her with the concept.

Billiris will say a few ceremonial first words to kick off the event, along with a blessing by a priest from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

"We want to get as many residents and pedestrians along the route as possible. This is a great public relations opportunity for promoting our city," Billiris said. The mile-long course - it starts on Tarpon Avenue, heads up Pinellas Avenue and ends on Dodecanese Boulevard - will also be lined with several American and Greek flags to further solidify the connection, she noted.

"As we tie in the Sister City program, we get to promote the city," Faklis said, agreeing with the mayor's comments. "Tarpon Springs is already a draw for tourists, and the more tourists and exposure we get, the better."

Billiris may also join O'Meara in New York for a portion of his final run, increasing Tarpon Springs' prospect of positive national exposure.

"Beverley's great," O'Meara said of the mayor, based on their previous contacts. "She's really promoting this well. Tarpon Springs is my new host city in the whole thing."

Joining O'Meara for a portion of his run will be some young local athletes, Anthony Velardocchia, Marianna Karavokiros and Kailand Cosgrove.

Velardocchia, 20, a 2006 graduate of Tarpon Springs High, said he is happy to be part of the opening ceremony with O'Meara.

"I think it's great," said Velardocchia, now the assistant track coach at his high school alma mater. "I love running and someone who is going to accomplish something like that is excellent."

Velardocchia and Karavokiros are both planning to be involved in next year's tentative trip to Greece with O'Meara.

"This is all why Tarpon is key," O'Meara said, speaking of the tie-ins with Greece and the local involvement. "It's special to support some local runners and it's a great location for it while promote running and fitness and the Sister City program here."

For more information on David O'Meara's tour go to www.onemilerunner.com>.

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