Black Bag Race Series - Runner Profiles by Bob Slowpants

Below is the runner profile originally printed in 2010 on our dear friend Ron Landen. Ron was diagnosed with a very agressive cancer in December of 2013. On March 22nd 2014, Ron competed in three 5K races. On April 13th 2014, our running family gathered together to celebrate the life of Ron but sadly he was unable to attend. On May 4th 2014 some might say Ron lost his battle with cancer but we would like to think that he crossed the finish line winning this human race by leaving behind so many wonderful memories and experiences. We repost this article and encourage you to leave comments and memories of Ron. Our hearts are heavy with grief but we know that his pain and earthly stuggles are over. We love you Ron and will miss you.

"Where's Ron"

Roger Keel and Ron LandenThis is Roger Keel’s comment as he completes a race and is ready to depart back to the Valley, Alabama- Columbus, Georgia area. Ron and Roger have become carpool buddies since the 2009 Sweet Tomatoes races. Roger drives and Ron navigates between naps. Ron, in his own words, considers himself to be the luckiest man in the world. Ron has survived several cancer surgeries plus heart attacks and has a list of ailments to long for this commentary.

Ron has been graced with two sons and five grandchildren. Wesley lives in Vancouver, Canada where Ron has two grandchildren courtesy of Wesley. Robert resides in Panama City, Florida where Ron has three grandchildren thanks to Robert. Ron’s parents still reside in Virginia where Ron spent his early years. Ron was raised in Norfolk, Virginia graduating from Maury High School in 1962. Ron joined the Air Force after graduation with an initial tour of duty that ended in 1969. Ron next attended and graduated from Gulf Coast Junior College in Panama City, Florida. Ron later completed a BS degree inTeacher Ron history at Auburn University. Both Ron’s sons are Auburn graduates. Ron acquired a second BS degree from Florida A& M University and a Master’s Degree in Horticulture from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallassee, Florida. Ron taught horticulture for ten years in the Bay County Florida school system. Ron was selected as Vocational Teacher of the Year in 1982 for Bay County. Ron remained active in the Air Force Reserve since 1969 and in 1990 returned to active duty for the Gulf War. Ron remained on active duty in special operations in the Air Force and retried with the rank of Lt. Col. with thirty five years service for our country.

Ron and JackieRon and Jackie Phillips have been companions for thirteen years. Jackie and Ron began attending Run and See Georgia races in 1989 with Ron placing twelfth in his age group. They mutually decided in 2005 to win their respective age groups in the Run and See Georgia series, which they did thanks to Jackie’s planning and Ron’s driving. Ron would drive up from Florida each weekend to accompany Jackie to races. Both have been fixtures in the Run and See Georgia circuit for years. When Ron retired, he relocated to Columbus, Georgia and lives across the street from Jackie. Ron recalls ten years ago he was still recording finish times in the low twenty minutes for a 5K. Ron was second in the 60-64 men’s age group standings with 3,053 points in 2009, and is dominating the age 65-69 age group in 2010. Ron has competed races in thirty-three states. His best marathon time was 3:40 in Jacksonville, but his favorite marathon was Kiawah Island which he completed one year to the day after his first heart attack. His best half marathon was at Seaside in Florida with a time of 1:37. Ron’s best 10K time was 40:05 and best 5K time was 18:58 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In addition to Jackie, Ron loves gardening. Ron has cultivated twenty-twoKeep Running Ron! rose bushes in his garden in Columbus. He has twelve amaryllis plants that his grandfather gave to his father and that Ron is continuing to cultivate. Beyond his horticulture goals Ron is aiming for Senior Grandmaster Runner of the Year recognition in the Run and See Georgia series in 2010. Ron will achieve this goal if Roger Keel remembers to wake him up for races when they arrive at the start from having left South Georgia departing at times as early as 3 a.m. David Watkins is in Ron’s support group as David has assisted Ron to avoid getting lost even on a straight course.

Bob checking out from the back of the pack.