(Right) Ken Cooper
(Left) Ken's brother, Kevin Cooper
(Center) Ken's dad, Ken Cooper, Sr.

I remember starting in the way back and running a lot of the race on the curb to avoid people. Of course, I had to wait until my dad said I could leave him before running by myself.

I was disappointed so many people finished ahead of me.

After the race, we were watching the awards program and my dad pointed out Dick Beardsley. He told me to go get his autograph as he had just took 2nd to Alberto Salazar in the huge Boston battle. I still have it.

My earliest memories of running are Track and Field Days at Turtle Lake Elementary, Como Park Relays (trying to win the 1/2 mile), the Halloween Y to Y Fun Run and this Get In Gear Race.

Perhaps its because we have this picture, but more because it provided me with the understanding that I had to work hard to get to where I wanted from a sport. I knew I liked running and these events were instrumental to getting me motivated.

A little over 20 years later and I can look back on a high-school career, a collegiate career and a post-collegiate career that spans nearly 48,000 miles run, friends across the globe and seeing sites on runs that most people will never see. Its amazing to think what can transpire from a 3000m event in mid-April.

Ken Cooper, now 35 years old

Justin Schuetz (about 12 Years old)

In 1988 I ran my first Get in Gear 2k race, and now twenty years later I find myself serving on the Executive Committee.

The experience of leaving the starting line in a crowded pack and completing the race to the sounds of cheers stays with you forever, no matter what place you finish in.

Justin Schuetz, now 29 years old