October 2009 - Allegheny West Magazine

BY PAT JENNETTEPHOTOS SUBMITTEDMost people wouldn’t walk a mile in Glenn Schade’s shoes.That’s because his shoes have taken him on a journey thatliterally has had him running the distance of the world’scircumference. In fact, he has literally gone through 50 pairs ofshoes during the journey.On Friday, July 24, Glenn Schade of North Fayette completedrunning his 25,000th mile, the equivalent of running completelyaround the world. On the invitation of Al Dines, Montour’slong-time coach and a former teammate of Glenn’s, he ran onJuly 24 with the Montour High School summer track team, whowere inspired with his story.Glenn began his running career back in the 1970s when heran on the track team atMontour. On average,he runs six days aweek, usually at dawn,and completes abouteight miles a day. OnSaturdays, Glenn saidhe will often run asmany as 20 miles.About 13 years agohe announced hisgoal of completingthe Pittsburgh marathon. His family was somewhat skeptical of hisannouncement, but watched as he worked from completing just alap around the Walden Woods ball field in North Fayette tocompleting anywhere from 8-10 miles in a day of training.Glenn finished his first marathon and never looked back.Thirteen years later he has completed 23 marathons (two of themin the famed Boston Marathon). He said he completed his fastestmarathon in three hours and 22 minutes. He ran one of thosemarathons with his daughter, Lauren.Glenn completed his 25,000th mile at Montour High School,his alma mater, with his running partner, Greg Hough of Imperial,making the ceremonial lap around the Spartan track to theapplause of his family and friends.When he’s not running, he is coordinating the North FayetteTownship 5k race or spending time with his family.Glenn, the husband of Jan Schade and father of six children,believes that anyone can train for a marathon if they desire, it justtakes dedication and determination.“The keys to success in running are setting goals, stretching,wearing good shoes and socks, drinking water, not overdoing itand just having fun,” Glenn said.He resides in Pointe West where he enjoys his daily run in theneighborhood and on the trail - on his way “around the world”again.TOP: Glenn Schade, right, runs with Greg Hough. Above, Glenn smilesbroadly upon completing his 25,000th mile.