HISTORY - 3M "Racing to Save Lives" 5K (1998)
By Randy Mayes

Over six-hundred runners and walkers turned out for a run on the streets near Capitol Hill on a hot and humid Saturday morning for a race to increase awareness for the need for whole blood, marrow, and organ donations in minority communities. Each day ten people die waiting for organ transplants. Forty-nine percent are minorities. Sophisticated computer networking of databases of donors allow physicians to search and request matched donors.

Jason Lehmkule, a Drake University 5000 and 10,000 meter competitor, led most of the race, which started near the Capitol, went out to the White House and back. He finished in 15:02 for the top spot. Eric Kean of Springfield, VA placed second in 15:32. Mark Donahue, of Newport, RI, was the top masters finisher, placing third in 15:37.

Chris Morganti, of Severna Park, MD, easily won the women's race in 18:36. Patsy Long, of Sterling, VA, ran 19:30 for second. The top women's master was Roberto Leopold, of Washington, DC, in 24:03.

Participants included Admiral E. R. Zumwalt, Jr., who started The Marrow Foundation. His son was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and needed a marrow transplant. The Foundation secures support for the National Marrow Donor Program. Patients who do not have a matched donor within their family turn to the NMDP's Registry for a marrow donor.

Also competing was San Francisco 49er's Charles Haley, whose daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, needing a marrow transplant. There is a special need for marrow donors from the African American, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian communities.