Rutherford, a 74-year-old Fort Worth resident who is considered among the best all-time Indy-car racers, has been chosen to give the command and wave the green flag to officially start the “No Limits” Half Marathon event that kicks off at 7:30 a.m. on Allison Ave. in the speedway’s infield. He is one of 10 drivers to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500 three or more times (1974, ’76 and ’80) and collected 27 victories and 23 pole positions in his Indy-car career. He also earned a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series championship in 1980.
Rutherford also dabbled in NASCAR with 35 career starts, including a win in his stock-car debut in a Daytona 500 qualifier race in 1963. Rutherford, dubbed “Lone Star JR” due to his Texas heritage, has been inducted into several motorsports hall of fames, including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
“As the Official Pace Car driver for the IndyCar Series events and as a three-time Indy 500 winner, I am honored to have been chosen by the Speedway Children’s Charity, Texas Chapter, to act as the Grand Marshal and official starter for the inaugural “No Limits” Half Marathon & 5k Run and Expo,” Rutherford said. “I look forward to greeting all of the runners who will be attending the races. I do know the excitement you will feel as you take the green flag and then the later at the waving of the checkered flag. Actually, you and I are not very different … It’s just that I get my kicks while racing a slick car with wheels and a strong engine.”
Patton, a Texas Christian University graduate who was raised in Dallas, has been selected to wave the checkered flag for the half marathon winner as well as award the medals to the eight major category champions.
Patton, 34, is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 4x100m relay, the most recent coming at this summer’s Olympic Games in London. His other Olympic silver came at Athens in 2004. Patton also is a two-time 4x100m relay gold medalist and a 200-meter silver medalist in the prestigious World Championships and has represented the United States on six national teams. As a collegiate, Patten earned 12 All-American certificates in just two years at TCU.
“In most sports, running is a form of punishment,” Patton said. “If you don’t make a play – or if you miss too many free throws – you run laps. It’s hard work, and that’s something I understand. So, just knowing that so many people are coming out to the ‘No Limits’ Half Marathon to run – willingly – is amazing. And then, to do it for such a great cause is really selfless.
“It takes a lot of time, effort, and training to prepare for an event like this, so I know the folks that are participating are truly dedicated to the cause. How could I not feel honored to be among such good company? I’m really looking forward to it.”
The entry fee for the “No Limits” Half Marathon currently is $100 through Oct. 25 and $125 on race day. The 5k entry currently is $30 through Oct. 25 and $35 on race day. For more information or to sign up for the event, please visit www.nolimitsrun.com.
Source: Texas Motor Speedway, Press Release
The post Two-Time Olympic Medalist Patton, Three-Time Indy 500 Champ Rutherford To Serve As Grand Marshals For ‘No Limits” Half Marathon & 5k appeared first on Catchfence.
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