Sunday, November 7, 2010

Marathon Miner

The  NYC Road Runners Club  invited Chilean miner Edison Pena to watch the NYC Marathon being run today. He decided he wanted to run the marathon rather than watch.

During all those many weeks trapped in the mine Edison ran 3 to 6 miles a day to keep busy and fit. He cut his work boots down into sneakers and found as many open pathways as he could.

When he wasn’t running Edison entertained his fellow miners with his huge repertoire of Elvis songs. Although he doesn’t speak English he has memorized the words to every Elvis hit.

Elvis Presley Enterprises  is sponsoring Edison’s trip. After the marathon he will be traveling to Las Vegas and then to his dream destination of Graceland.

Check out this CLIP (scroll down a bit on the home page) of Edison on Letterman. He has such a huge personality and wonderful warm persona.

I hope all his dreams come true.


24 comments:

DJan said...

How wonderful! I didn't know about this, so it was such a pleasant surprise to read about him. I also hope all his dreams come true. And thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story.

Schmoop said...

I dig him. Cheers Di!!

Nessa said...

I am glad he is having fun.

Ron said...

Amazing!

You GO, Edison! You're an inspiration!

Brava!

Thanks for sharing this, dear lady!

X to you and the gang!

Jay said...

He seems like a pretty cool dude, but I bet he drove his fellow miners crazy with all that running.

Anonymous said...

Bless the man and good luck to him.

Reb said...

Good for him for running while down there. I am sure it is one of the things that helped keep the spirits up.

Akelamalu said...

I saw this on the news over here and think it's just wonderful what he's done and is intending to do!

Linda Reeder said...

Wishing him well.

Cherie said...

Woo-Hoo! Go Edison! Go!

Mike said...

I saw him on Letterman.

Hilary said...

Oh good for him.. thanks for sharing this clip, Dianne.

Ellen Whyte said...

Hah, now if I had been singing, those guys would have clawed their way out of there!

Hehehe, glad to see they're all well.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Cool! Wonderful! Thanks for the link -- I missed the show.

Scott Oglesby said...

After being stuck in that hole in the earth for so long I’d still be unable to stop eating and sitting in the sun and having sex. That guy has a HUGE heart and will!!!

Arkansas Patti said...

Thanks for this post. I did not know any of this and am really impressed with this man. So glad that we have done something to reward this mans incredible spirit.

Ken said...

That was great. How can you NOT love a guy who's that happy?

Daryl said...

So far he's hit the jackpot .. freed from that horrific ordeal, feted by late night TV hosts and he ran the Marathon close to the time he hoped to ... I hope he enjoys Vegas .. and Graceland

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I saw him on Letterman---He was WONDERFUL! And such an inspiration! I can't get over that he ran the NY Marathon! FABULOUS! How great that he will be able to go to Graceland!!!

Knight said...

I had no idea he was running the marathon yesterday. That's unbelievable. I can't even run a couple miles without feeling like crap.

Billie Greenwood said...

Victor Frankl was right: the final freedom is the freedom to choose your attitude. Pena is an icon of hope. I need examples like him because, as you more or less said in your previous post, it is kinda easy to be discouraged these days.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

I hope he calls when he gets here...he does rock this man...so impressed

Unknown said...

I love this story! That whole Chilean epic was such a great shot in the arm of humanity. I owe those guys for making me feel a sense of renewal of my faith in humankind.

Love ya!
Gina

HermanTurnip said...

Saw him run on television. Wasn't aware he was running until that very moment. Talk about an inspiration!