The 61-Marathon Man

Sam Felsenfeld came a long way in 2010 -- about 26 miles at a time. He ran 61 marathons as part of "Operation Jack," an effort to raise autism awareness.

Felsenfeld began running the marathons one year ago. He finished Sunday with a run in Manhattan Beach.

According to the Daily Breeze:

Four years ago, Felsenfeld's youngest son was diagnosed with a severe case of autism. Today Jack is 7, still unable to speak and requiring around-the-clock, specialized care. Jack's condition galvanized Felsenfeld - and a legion of supporters - into action. The father of three spent eight months brainstorming the ambitious idea of running marathons across the country, sometimes two a weekend, to increase autism awareness. Felsenfeld said the effort is a way to secure his young son's legacy.

Felsenfeld, 36, is a former smoker. He ran his first marathon four years ago in San Diego.

He covered 1,586 miles, sometimes running two marathons in a single weekend.

For the final mile Sunday, he pushed his son in a stroller.

"It's hard pushing that stroller, but it's cool," Felsenfeld said. "It's cool that he gets to be a part of it."

In 2010, he ran marathons in Boston, Minnesota, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego and other locations. He set a personal best of 3:03:48 in Boston.

Felsenfeld raised more than $70,000, according to the Daily Breeze.
 

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