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OKC Memorial Marathon: Slogan on T-shirt speaks for racewalker Rod Hanson

Community college professor has done marathons in 22 states. The goal is to do all 50 states “before I croak off,” says Rod Hanson

By Jason Kersey | Published: April 29, 2012 Comment on this article

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Hanson, a 59-year old political science professor at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Ore., does racewalking, which is different from running in that one foot stays in contact with the ground at all times.

He's finished 22 marathons in his life and five since being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009.

He's in remission — “two years, three months, 29 days in remission,” he said — and Sunday marked the 15th state in which he's racewalked a marathon.

“I'm trying to do all 50 states before I croak off,” Hanson said. “I got thrown for a little loop three years ago when I got sick, but I'm doing OK now.”