Two runners have a good time 50 years of half marathon

ORLANDO, Fla. —

The OUC Orlando Half Marathon is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this yr, and two runners are celebrating 50 years of working each race.

Alan Musanti, 76, and Gary Kane, 78, are making ready to proceed a streak that started when the race was first held 5 a long time in the past.

“I am very happy with having the ability to hold in all that point,” Musanti mentioned.

Reflecting on final yr’s race, Kane mentioned, “Once I crossed the end line final yr, I simply needed to take a seat down someplace and die.”

The 2 runners did not know one another when their journey started, however through the years, marriages, children and jobs introduced them collectively — together with their shared dedication to working the OUC and sustaining their streak.

“I bear in mind one yr once we began out of Church Road Station; it poured rain the entire time,” Musanti mentioned. “And that was sort of enjoyable, as a result of when you’re moist, it is enjoyable to run within the rain.”

Kane recalled his first race vividly.

“I bear in mind turning the nook on the first, you understand, on the Chamber of Commerce constructing, seeing my end line, and I broke into tears. I used to be simply so comfortable to, and I believed, ‘I am going to by no means do that once more,'” Kane mentioned.

Over time, the streak turned a big a part of their lives.

“It was possibly at 15 or so it began to really feel like a giant quantity,” Musanti mentioned. “And at one level I began to query, ‘Am I comfortable concerning the streak or am I not comfortable concerning the streak?'”

As consultants on the course, Musanti and Kane shared recommendation for runners tackling the downtown route.

“Preserve trying down in case you’re working on brick,” Musanti mentioned. “Watch out for the occasional free brick and watch out for the slippery moist bricks.”

“The course is good, the shade is nice, however the crowds are the perfect,” Kane mentioned.

When requested in the event that they plan to proceed the streak past this yr, Kane mentioned, “I’m informed by my spouse the reply to that query isn’t any. However we’ll wait and see. I imply, God is aware of, you understand, she is perhaps out of city. Nicely, I will not inform her.”

Musanti expressed hope to maintain going however acknowledged the uncertainty of age.

“I hope to maintain going, however one by no means is aware of at this age,” Musanti mentioned.

For now, Musanti and Kane are centered on celebrating their 50-year dedication, with household cheering them on as they cross the end line for the fiftieth time.