Bryan Kelpe, distance running

Bryan Kelpe began running when he was 10 years old and, with all the miles he logged over the years, you'd think he never stopped.

Road races, marathons, ultra-marathons -- you name it, Kelpe has done it.

"When I was 9, I watched the Riverfest run," he says, recalling his first race. "I told my parents that I wanted to run that race, but they wouldn't let me. They promised me that I could run it the next year."

It turns out that the Riverfest's 5.25-mile course wasn't long enough for Kelpe of Cape Girardeau. Since then, he has conquered two ultra-marathons in Troy, Mo. The ultra-marathons, held in Cuivre River State Park, cover 31 miles of terrain. Kelpe finished third both years and ran the races in a little more than four hours.

Kelpe's future could include taking his miles a step further since he hopes to run the Leadville 100, a 100-mile race in Colorado. The race involves climbing 3,000 feet from beginining to end, crossing the finish line at 13,000 feet.

How do you train for that?

"I don't really know," Kelpe says, laughing. "I guess I'll have to increase my mileage."

If the 100-mile run doesn't satisfy Kelpe, becoming a member of the "50 and D.C." group just might. The elite group has the accomplishment of running a marathon in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

In the meantime, Kelpe is helping with Sikeston High School's track program and will coach the distance runners this spring.

"It's just pure passion," he says. "I really enjoy it, and I love the sport."

-- David Unterreiner