Don Halke News Story

**
TASK ON COURSE *Challenge, charity inspire Perry County runner to take on
countrywide Grand Slam*
** Wednesday, April 11, 2007 BY LES POWELL
*Of The Patriot-News*

Don Halke has a hunger for challenge and charity.

The Perry County man will try to be the first Pennsylvanian to run the four
oldest 100-mile foot races — in one summer.

“These races, collectively run, are known as the Grand Slam of Ultra Running
and travel some of the most difficult trails in the country,” said Halke,
47. “In 2006, many competitors from around the world attempted this … only
11 completed all four races.”

The events are: Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (June 23-24); Vermont
100-Mile Endurance Run (July 21-22); Leadville Trail 100, in Colorado (Aug.
18-19); and Wasatch Front 100 Endurance Run, outside Salt Lake City (Sept.
8-9).

“But running is only the first part of my adventure,” said Halke, an
internal auditor for the state Public School Employees Retirement System in
Harrisburg, who also raises sheep on his Juniata Twp. farm. “The second task
I have challenged myself with is to see how much money I can raise for the
American Cancer Society.

“This year is the 25th anniversary of my father’s death from colon cancer,”
he said. “Since he died, great strides have been made in detecting and
curing this terrible disease.”

In 2005, the best man in Halke’s wedding, Glenn Hoffman, was diagnosed with
colon cancer and told he had 12-18 months to live, Halke said.

“After 14 months of chemo and surgery, Glenn is back to work,” Halke said.
“He still has cancer, but is fighting it and, with God’s help, winning.”

“Don and I have known each other about 40 years,” Hoffman said. “We went to
school together.” They’re Susquenita High School graduates.

“I’m on a drug called panatumanab. It’s approved now, but a year ago it was
experimental,” Hoffman said. “I have CT scans every three months. They were
clear in June, September, December and March, so the drug seems to be
working.”

Halke is asking people to donate to the American Cancer Society, perhaps
based on the number of miles he runs or simply in honor of a loved one.

“I’m really honored,” Hoffman said. “It’s a great way to honor the memory of
his father as well.”

“We’re very excited to have Don doing a benefit for the American Cancer
Society,” said Jo Brindley, community income development specialist at the
society’s Harrisburg office. “We’ll be cheering him on.”

Halke has completed three 100-mile races and 79 marathons (26.2 miles),
including 14 Harrisburg Marathons, with a top time of 3 hours, 28 minutes in
2003. He was race director of the local marathon from 1988 to 1991 and
president of the Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club in 1989.

“As you age, you’re not as fast, and you want to try something else,” Halke
said. In 2002, he ran the JFK 50-mile at Boone, Md., in 9 hours, 46 minutes,
and “enjoyed myself way too much.”

In June 2003, he doubled that effort, running his first 100-miler — the
Mohican 100 in Ohio — in 25 hours, 13 minutes, his best time at that
distance. His other 100s were in June 2005 and July.

Halke expressed hope that his effort this summer will “make people think
about their friends and loved ones.”

“Have regular screenings,” he said. “Talk to your doctor; maybe a simple
blood test will show something.”

LES POWELL: 255-8154

*TO DONATE*

Send checks made payable to the American Cancer Society to 3211 N. Front
St., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110