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Bob
Ingalls interviewed
by Pam
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| PSU: Bob, how did you become interested
in running? Can you tell us how it all began for you? |
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In April of 1981, Bob was selected to attend the FBI
National Academy law enforcement training program at the
Marine Base in Quantico, Virginia . This program included
running and with that came the desire and need to quit
smoking. Bob's been running ever since. He entered his
first Boilermaker in 1982 and has been involved with it
every year since either as a participant or volunteer
and now as race director. His fastest Boilermaker time
was 60.07 minutes. Running has become a family sport as
his children and grandchildren all participate in the
race as well.
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| PSU: Besides the Boilermaker,
what is your all time favorite event, and why was it such
a good experience? |
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The Boston Marathon. Much like the Boilermaker experience,
the Boston Marathon is known for it's crowds and spectator
enthusiasm. The marathon is also the country's oldest
and best known marathon. The course is challenging with
the first 10 miles being mostly downhill, then flat and
then up through 'Heart Break Hill' where the fans really
come out to encourage the runners on. Bob has run 3 Boston
Marathons.
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| PSU:One can only
imagine the responsibilities of being a race director for
an event the size of the Boilermaker. How did you get the
position? |
| When then race director/founder
Earle Reed heard of Bob's impending retirement from County
Government in 2000, he and Dave Reichert approached Bob
regarding the position. Bob agreed to become Deputy Director
of the race in 2000 and after that experience readily took
on the role of race director in 2001. |
| PSU: The race really is all about
the participants, and we know some folks plan their vacations,
family reunions, parties, and so on around the race weekend,
but how do you keep the race interesting enough, or fun
enough so that the repeat participation stays strong? |
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The enthusiasm of the spectators, volunteers and community
not to mention the committee members and directors, is
very self perpetuating. The participation of the elite
runners which include current top runners, former Olympians
and runners recognized by the Hall of Fame, all adds to
the excitement and make the Boilermaker a world class
event. Groups from all over the United States, especially
Canada, call to make sure their group can be accommodated.
It's become a race that runners on all levels want to
experience because of the thrill of the enthusiasm.
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PSU: We know that in some endurance sports
on the elite level, performance enhancing drug use is
a real issue. Is drug testing done on the contenders before
or after the race, and in the history of the Boilermaker,
has anyone ever tested positive?
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The Boilermaker is prepared to test runners for drugs
but has not yet had to do so. If a world class record
was broken, then that runner would need to be tested
to make the record valid.
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PSU: The Boilermaker seems to always
unfold without a glitch on race day and everyone involved
should be congratulated for that, but are you and your
committee's constantly critiquing yourselves looking
for ways to improve things?
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It starts with a follow-up meeting amongst the race
directors the week after the race. They have the feedback
from committee members and volunteers and critique how
everything went and what needs to be changed or incorporated
for next year's race to make it better. The directors
meet on a monthly basis throughout the year to make sure
things are progressing smoothly. On race day, it's the
culmination of the 20 directors, the 100 committee members
and the over 5000 volunteers efforts and hard work that
make it go so smoothly. Actually, being race director
is fairly easy because all the committee members know
their job and put it together year after year. It's sort
of like being a conductor of an orchestra, getting all
the players to do their part at the precise time so that
the resulting event is perfect.
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PSU: Can we look
forward to anything new with this year's race? If it is
a secret, we won't tell!
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We're working on some new ideas and additions
to the weekend, but nothing firm to tell about at this
time.
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