Dori Bowman of Florence finished first in her age group when she walked last year's Chicago Marathon.
In fact, she was the only woman to finish in that age group, 75-98.
It's all for a good cause: She is a member of the Leukemia Society of America's Southern Ohio Chapter Team in Training, a group of local residents who raise money to battle leukemia by running, walking, cycling and -- this year -- skating in events around the country. "I started walking about 14 or 15 years ago when my doctor told me it would be good for me," the former model said. "Look what's happened."
Her husband, Charlie, died from cancer in November 1996, so walking to battle a disease is extra inspiration.
"He walks right with me," she said.
At her side in the Rock 'n Roll Marathon on June 21 in San Diego will be her daughter, Carol Lindgren, 51, of Anderson. "She decided I was having too much fun," said Mrs. Bowman, 76.
Last year, the Leukemia Society's Southern Ohio Chapter raised $860,000 through participation in marathons and cycling events, and the goal is more than $1 million this year.
The Leukemia Society of America raised $26.7 million last year and is aiming for $35 million this year.
"It keeps growing and growing and growing," said Nancy Brinker, executive director of the Southern Ohio chapter. "For those people who say, "I want to run a marathon,' this drives them toward their goal."
Dori Bowman and daughter Carol Lindgren train for San Diego.
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The Leukemia Society supports research toward a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma. More than 14,000 people across the country participated in Team in Training last year. It works like this: those age 18 and older wishing to help the society by participating in marathons or cycling events sign up and pledge to raise a certain amount for each event. For example, to participate in the Rock 'n Roll Marathon in San Diego, runners and walkers must pledge at least $2,600.
The Leukemia Society sets participants up with a coach and a "hero," someone who is suffering from leukemia, to provide inspiration. It pays transportation and hotel costs, along with the entry fee for the race.
"We don't spend more than 25 percent of the money they raise," said Pam Koewler, campaign director.
The society has a core group of about 100 runners, walkers and cyclists who participate in at least one event each year. The rest come in via word of mouth, media reports or contact with someone stricken with the disease.
The most popular event is the New York City Marathon. The Southern Ohio chapterhas nearly 200 applicants for the Nov. 1 marathon.
