All-around good guy and modern day American hero, JR Martinez, is adding another skill and milestone to his resume as Marathoner. Martinez has been training for the ING New York City Marathon taking place this Sunday. And, as if running a marathon in itself wasn't enough, he'll be raising money in an unconventional manner. Martinez will begin the run dead last - the last runner to leave the starting line - and for every runner he passes, money will get donated to the New York Road Runners' Youth Programs. Definitely a long shot, but I'm rooting for Martinez to finish first!
In May 2003, J.R. Martinez was sitting in a room at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Around him were his mother, Maria Zavala, his facial therapist and a nurse. Less than one year after enlisting in the U.S. Army, the 19-year-old former high school football star was in an unfamiliar situation: He was re-learning how to walk.
Nine and a half years later, Martinez is learning how to run -- a marathon. Never a distance runner before this year, Martinez has partnered with Timex and the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Youth Programs for a noble cause. Martinez will start Sunday's ING New York City Marathon dead last, and for every runner he passes, Timex will donate $1 to the NYRR's Youth Programs.
Find out more about JR's marathon fundraising at thepostgame.com.
