He’s crazy to run — again.
For the second time, Federal Way School Board member Ed Barney is running to raise money for the district’s elementary track program with an effort dubbed Crazy 2 Run.
This year, Barney hopes to raise $10,000 by doing a 140-mile run starting Sept. 8.
“We still need money for elementary track and Olympia hasn’t figured out that they need to fully fund education,” Barney said. “We can’t cut people. The only thing left is programs, and I don’t want to see the elementary track program disappear. I watched elementary band disappear and that will never come back… (with over 2,000 kids) the elementary track program is too big of a program to do away with.”
Barney will start at the Peace Arch Park, at the Canadian border in the town of Blaine, Wash., on Sept. 8. He plans to finish Sept. 11 at the Federal Way Community Center.
And that’s where the community comes in. Barney is inviting Federal Way residents to join him on the last stretch of his run, starting from either 272nd Street and Pacific Highway around 12:30 p.m. Sept. 11 to run the last few miles, or at the community center, 876 333rd St., around 1 p.m.
For those running in the last 4 miles from 272nd Street, Federal Way police will provide an escort, Barney said. He said there is a possibility that South King Fire and Rescue might bring in a vintage fire engine.
After arriving at the community center, the runners will participate in a short ceremony as well as a cool-down lap inside the center.
To train, Barney has been running for two hours after work, up to four times a week.
“It’s just a matter of conditioning for the long run,” Barney said.
Last year, Barney ran the 200-mile Portland to Seattle Bicycle Classic.
This year, like last year, will be a family affair. Barney’s wife, Barbara, will drive the support car. His son Mike, who last year rode his bike alongside Barney, will alternate between riding and running with his dad the whole way.
Last year, following the race, Barney wasn’t sure he would do another long run.
“It was one of those things I had in my mind,” Barney said after his Seattle to Portland run. “It was an adventure, but I don’t think I am interested in doing it again. If I did, I would do it over a week’s time and no more than 30 miles per day.”
But he’s doing it again anyway.
Through his efforts in the run, as well as with a jog-a-thon and a fun run, Barney raised $5,000 for the elementary track program.
There are about 2,200 students in the elementary track program. It’s one of the only programs like it left in the country, Barney said.
Learn more
Donations for the elementary track program can be sent to Ed Barney, P.O. Box 26400, Federal Way, WA 98093. There will be a donation station at the Community Center.
“Every penny goes into the program,” Barney said.
Learn more about Ed Barney’s run at www.crazy2runfw.blogspot.com.
