Former Panther Perry Edinger to speak before Alumni Meet

Perry Edinger to Talk at Eastern Illinois University

At 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, EIU alumnus Perry Edinger (1984) will make a presentation concerning his long and ultra distance running experiences. The event is free, open to the public, and will be held in the First Baptist Church in Charleston (2800 University Drive).

Following graduation from EIU, Edinger obtained a master’s degree at Syracuse University and soon moved to West Virginia University, where he became the head athletic trainer.  For the past 15 years, he has lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and for 13 of those years, he was the head athletic trainer.  Of even great interest are his running exploits.

A good college cross-country runner and track athlete (steeplechase and up) Edinger began to get interested in the longer road racing events. He’s run numerous marathons, but several years ago, he started participating in 50- and 100-mile runs. He has several interesting credentials in the world of “ultra” running. Last summer, he won the Ultra Grand Slam title by having the fastest total time in four 100 mile races (mountain trails, altitude, and temperature issues). That opened the door for him to be invited to participate in the famous Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile race from Death Valley in California (at 280 feet below sea level) up to the Mt. Whitney portals (at 8,300 feet above sea level).

Only the top 86 qualified athletes in the world were invited, and Perry was place in the elite section. He completed the grueling event in 29 hours and 19 minutes and placed 9th.

While the trainer at Arizona State University, Perry became friends with the now-famous and deceased Pat Tillman, an outstanding football player who turned down the NFL to go fight in the Middle East. Tillman became interested in marathon running and as unlikely as it seems, Perry coached this 235-pound defensive specialist to a 3:46 marathon. Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, but a foundation was set up in his name. Perry Edinger has been the race director for many of the Pat Tillman Foundation runs in and around the country.

Perry was also chosen to be the “guide” runner for Lance Armstrong (famed cyclist), who wanted to run the Boston Marathon three years ago. But that’s another story...and you’ll hear it on October 2.

Power point slides will illustrate Edinger’s presentation. If you want to hear about perseverance and endurance, plan to be with us.

For more information contact Tom Woodall at   twoodall@eiu.edu <mailto:twoodall@eiu.edu> 
 

here's another great read about Perry's running exploits:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/azetc/articles/2009/08/08/20090808spt-badwaterrace.html