Celebrating a Quarter of a Century for “OLD GLORY”
Celebrating a Quarter of a Century for “OLD GLORY”
The Examiner
By Heidi Michaels
He’s known at the annual “Run for Your Life” 8-mile run around Lake Mahopac as “The Guy with the Flag.” He’s a runner who runs the entire course holding up “Old Glory.”
“It’s a tradition that people have come to expect,” the Guy with the Flag commented. “This year’s race marks his 25th Anniversary.
Who is this mysterious flag-carrying good-hearted soul? He has never registered for the race under his real name, he signs “Old Glory.” He always starts at the very end of the pack enabling every entrant to see her and share in the July 4th tradition. His name is John W. Albanese. And his story is fascinating.
What started out as a friendly urging from a father to a son to “come on, run this race with me” has turned into an annual event that has become a tradition, filled with nostalgia and patriotism. Back in 1985 when John first said yes to his father, Joe Albanese, John said, “If we’re going to run this race let’s do it right and carry our flag.” That they did together for ten continuous years until Joe retired to South Carolina.
In twenty-five years there have been at least three flags. Their first flag was a 3” x 5” 1976 Betsy Ross flag. John and Joe ran with it the first three years until it became tattered and worn out. Joe, a former Marine and Eagle Scout, folded the flag and buried it with military honors. The second flag was lost in the shuffle during a move. However, John did not realize the flag was missing until the night before the race. Fortunately a late night excursion to Target found him the last flag on the shelf.
Throughout his quarter-century tradition, John, a personal trainer at the Saw Mill Club, has inspired others to join him. Friends, co-workers, and clients are among the inspired. One runner who has often run with John and helped carry “Old Glory” is Paul Warren. John and Paul share the race, the flag and a common ancestor that dates back to the Mayflower adding to the nostalgia and patriotism of the event.
Naturally running with a flag, one would think, slows a runner down. Not John Albanese. His personal record for the hilly course was set in 1998 with an impressive 53:26. That’s a 6:40 minute mile! To most, simply completing an 8-mile race is an accomplishment in itself. Having a large flag and pole in your hands adds to the challenge. Of course a summer day in July is hot but “The wind is the hardest,” John reported.
John has not missed a race in twenty-five years. Although one year the start time was changed and John arrived after the official start. Determined to continue with the tradition, John jumped out of the car at mile 2 and finished the race with flag in hand. John won’t let anything stand in his way of honoring this tradition. In fact, he has delayed shoulder surgery until after this year’s race. Obviously, running and carrying the flag is only one part of this story. John’s pride, dedication and commitment to honoring our great country inspires us all to come out and run with or cheer for “Old Glory”.
The Putnam County Classic, “Run for Your Life” event begins at 8am on July 4th at the Mahopac High School. For additional information visit www.runner.org/putnam.htm.
And don’t forget to cheer for John as he celebrates his quarter century run.
