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MINNEAPOLIS – Oct. 2, 2006 – Thirteen runners from the inaugural class of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon “Global Heroes” award program successfully completed either the 26.2 mile marathon or the Medtronic TC 10 Mile race on Sunday, Oct. 1. Global Heroes is a first-of-its-kind program that brings athletes to Minnesota to celebrate the accomplishments of those who run with medical devices to compete in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events.
“These remarkable athletes represent the first Global Heroes who have now paved the way for others to run in future races,” said Stephen Oesterle, Medtronic senior vice president of medicine and technology. “Our goal is to make the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon the destination event for athletes with a chronic health condition who are living a more full and active life because of a medical device or therapy.”
Award winners and finishers include:
Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
- Jason Burke, Boston, Mass. – Burke has diabetes, and he used to have trouble running in the morning without his glucose levels plummeting. He received an insulin pump, and now he can train without having to worry about the glucose levels. Jason is a veteran of 26 marathons and his goal is to run in every state. Finish time: 2:54:25
- Jerry Nairn, Chandler, Ariz. – Nairn has run 30 marathons and achieved a personal best time of 3:31:21 last year. He was diagnosed with diabetes as a high school cross country runner. But now, he uses his insulin pump to regulate his blood sugar so he can focus on a perfect run. Finish time: 3:38:18
- Dave Thoen, Bloomington, Minn. – Thoen developed diabetes which made running marathons seem impossible. He received an insulin pump that gives him the flexibility to lead the active lifestyle he enjoys. He ran in his 14th Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon this year. Finish time: 3:55:27
- Doug and Angel Hansen, Costa Mesa, Calif. – The Hansens are a father/daughter team who are pursuing their own special mission of completing 100 marathons together. Angel is 5 years old, and born with several birth defects and only a portion of her brain. After having numerous surgeries and a shunt placed in her head, her condition improved and she now rides in a special running stroller while Doug pushes her. Finish time: 3:45:07
- Jason Woodard, Golden Valley, Minn. – In 2003, Jason became ill with viral encephalitis, which resulted in uncontrolled seizures. In an effort to decrease his reliance on medications, he was implanted with a vagus nerve stimulator. Finish time: 5:38:07
- Michelle Valancius, Vancouver, British Columbia – Michelle’s spine was so severely curved from scoliosis that it pushed rigidly against her heart and lungs, which could have proven fatal. A spinal operation placing rods and hooks in her spine corrected her condition, and now she is competing in “Ironman” competitions and marathons. Finish time: 5:43:42
Medtronic TC 10 Mile
- Brian Stephenson, Zeeland, Mich. – Stephenson has dystonia, a disease characterized by severe, sometimes painful muscle spasms, which limited this avid runner to short jogs. With the help of deep brain stimulation, he is now able to run again. Finish time: 1:21:49
- Kailey Ross, New Westminster, British Columbia – Ross is diagnosed with syncope, unexplained fainting that results from poor heart pumping function and was implanted with a pacemaker. She is now running 20 to 35 miles each week. Finish time: 1:31:42
- David Watkins, Snohomish, Wash. – Doctors found Watkins had a congenital defect in his aorta, compounded by hypertension and arrhythmia. David had surgery to replace his aorta and aortic valve. Finish time: 2:01:15
- Laura Santurri, Chagrin Falls, Ohio – Santurri was diagnosed in 1997 with bladder control problems and quit running as a result. Her condition continued to worsen until her doctor implanted a neurostimulation device therapy to treat her condition and ease discomfort. Finish time: 2:01:18
- Lori Camacho, Thomasboro, Ill. – In 1991, Camacho developed a chronic and painful neurological condition. With the help of a permanently implanted spinal cord stimulator, Lori got on a treadmill and walked her first steps on a journey that eventually led to her first half-marathon. Finish time: 2:24:56
- Amy Lake, Coon Rapids, Minn. – Lake experiences an irregular, fast heartbeat that sometimes reached 380 beats per minute and threatened her life. Physical activity came to a halt. Amy received an ICD, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator that protects her from a life-threatening arrhythmia. Finish time: 1:25:00
- Pooja Lodha, Pune, India – Lodha has diabetes, yet her insulin pump allows her to continue running while managing her glucose levels. Finish time: 1:51:32
In addition to providing entry into the marathon or 10-mile race and travel allowance to each Global Heroes recipient, the Medtronic Foundation donated $1,000 to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports people who live with the runner’s condition.
For more information on how to apply or nominate someone to be a Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Global Hero, email mtcm.globalheroes@medtronic.com. All runners with medical devices are welcome to apply with no restrictions on manufacturer. Applicants must certify that they have obtained physician approval to participate in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile race. Runners will be chosen by a committee of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
The 25th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend took place Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2006. Visit mtcmarathon.org for more information. Next year’s marathon will take place on Oct. 7, 2007.
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.
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