JON CONNAL ('93) WAS AN AVID RUNNER -- the kind of man who rose daily before sun-up to train before heading off to his job as a financial services technology consultant. The four-time marathon veteran died Feb. 18, 2003, from a pulmonary illness. His wife, Heidi, was crushed. She did her best to fill the void, tracking her emotions through an online journal that was visited by friends and family, and spending her time with loved ones. She was shocked by the unexpected tragedy, but determined to do something meaningful in her husband's memory. "I also wanted to return to the healthful lifestyle that I had ignored after his death," she says.

 

At a friend's suggestion, Connal decided to compete in the Marine Corps Marathon to honor her husband, whose life was cut too short at the age of 31. It turned out that she wasn't the only one willing to run. At Jon's memorial service, his good friend and fraternity brother Mark Boucher ('93), joked that everyone should run a marathon in Jon's honor. "I've always been a strict non-runner," Boucher laughs. "I believe running should be saved and stored in case -- I don't know -- you're getting chased by a bear or trying to catch an elevator."

The bond between Boucher and Jon Connal as well as Heidi Connal's dedication to the marathon idea won over Boucher, and Team Connal was formed. The team quickly grew to 23 runners, 13 of them first-time marathoners. The group included seven JMU graduates and friends, family and co-workers of Jon.

Alex Carter ('94) and John Warlick ('93), Jon's Pi Kappa Alpha brothers, also joined Team Connal. Carter says, "As soon as I heard the idea, I knew it was the perfect way to pay homage to our friend. He would have been thrilled at the prospect of us all torturing ourselves for 26.2 miles in his honor -- not to mention the months of training before the race. In truth, however, it was no torture at all. I was proud and elated to have been part of Jon's life, and will forever be part of the running group formed in his honor -- NYC Marathon in '04!"

Warlick concurs, "The marathon was one of the most incredible and emotional experiences of my life. I know that Jon was right there with us as we all crossed the finish line."

Since Team Connal members live all over the United States, members keep in touch "virtually" via daily e-mails, jokes and questions of the week. Heidi credits Team Connal's internet-based running support group as an "extraordinary part of my recovery in the last year."

To prepare for the Oct. 26, 2003, Marine Corps Marathon in the nation's capitol, Team Connal began training after Jon's memorial service. "I feel closer to Jon when I run," says Connal, who devotes most of her free time to running. In her online journal, Connal writes, "I run. I run a lot, actually. The marathon training is the most important priority in my life, and I stubbornly alter my schedules to accommodate the demands of training. I don't drink, I don't eat dinner after 8 p.m., and I'm in bed by 10… Anything less affects my running and that makes me very unhappy. Jon finds this very funny, I'm sure. He's probably in Heaven saying, 'See? I told you that you can do this.'"

Connal's optimism and determination motivated Team Connal and their family members. On race day, 75 cheerleaders showed up to support the runners. Jonathan Rhudy ('95), another fraternity brother of Jon's, called the experience "a wonderful way to carry on Jon's memory … a group of people with mixed athletic ability are taking on the 26.2 mile challenge to celebrate a life well-lived."

"There were Team Connal cheerleaders [all along the race route]," says Connal. "They buoyed our spirits tremendously. I have no idea how people run these races without armies of cheerleaders. The cheerleaders sent us waves and waves of energy with their smiles and cheers. It was magical."

Team Connal's success gave Connal "a reason to get up every morning," she says. I can't imagine running without them." The team plans to run at least one marathon a year, as well as the 2004 Cherry Blossom 10-mile.

While Team Connal members triumphed in spirit, two more Dukes took home trophies at the Marine Corps Marathon. Heather Hanscom ('01) won the Females 25-29 division and finished 19th overall. She was the only woman to place in the overall Top 20 with a time of 2:37:59. Eric Post ('02) finished first in the Males 20-24 division with a time of 2:27:49 and took second place overall in the race.

 

-- Allison Mall ('04)