PRINT ADS

Thanks to a group of kindergartners, Dan Odenbach, principal of Coulee Region Christian School in West Salem, will be spending a lot of more time in his running shoes this summer than he originally planned.

May 14 was the 100th day of classes for the school’s kindergartners. That’s when Odenbach proposed that he would run 100 miles in competitive races this summer as a fundraiser for Coulee Region Christian School if his youngest students would agree to pray for him. They did so and a deal was struck.

“It’s an opportunity to promote exercise fitness, develop a relationship with the kids and show them the value of keeping your word, which is a lesson I’d like to pass along,” Odenbach said.

Odenbach, who is also director of student services, is in his first year at CRCS. Before moving to West Salem, he was an online administrator for virtual classroom education in Minnesota’s Houston School District.

Although he is new to CRC, he is not a stranger to rigorous athletic training. At the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Odenbach was a power athlete, competing in the hammer throw, the discus and the javelin. He has also competed nationally in powerlifting.

Since his college days, Odenbach has slimmed down some and, about 10 years ago, he began running for exercise. He ran one marathon back in 2001 — the famed Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn. — and also has done a couple half marathons (13.1 miles).

He said half-marathons are considerably less grueling than full marathons.

“This might sound a little sick, but a half-marathon is kind of enjoyable. I can run with a partner, we can talk during the race and the race day atmosphere is usually great,” Odenbach said. “A full marathon is different — around 19 or 20 miles your body really starts to feel it.”

In order to fill his 100-mile quota this summer, Odenbach will be looking to run in marathons and half-marathons in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. He ran his first half-marathon —the Downtown Half-Marathon — in the Twin Cities June 1.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Odenbach per mile, or make a contribution, is encouraged to contact CRC at 786-3004 or e-mail

dodenbach@couleechristian.org.