Texas Marathon Mile 22 Sponsor

Mark Olateju

What is your hometown? New York City

Where do you live now? Garland, TX

What is the furthest distance you've ever run (or walked)? 18 miles

What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday morning? Running or racing

What is your favorite workout song, or song that gets you up and moving? Jamming, by Bob Marley

What is the first thing you think of when you think of Texas? Best place in the world!

What is the bravest thing you've ever done? Killed a snake in the house.

What is your favorite candy? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

What is the biggest goal you're currently working toward? Running my first full marathon

Where is your next vacation destination? Jamaica

What movie inspires you the most? The idea of failure.

In which state would you like to see Anna run her next marathon (after Texas)? Mississippi

Why did you choose to sponsor mile 22? It's usually the point at which most runners hit the "infamous" wall. All Anna has to do is think of me talking trash, er, speaking words of encouragement, and she will fight through it.

Why did you choose to become a marathon mile sponsor to support the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation? If Anna's backing it, and it's a cause close to her heart, then it's defintely worthwhile.

Note from Anna: It's a little bit hard to believe I'm actually friends with Mark, only because in terms of pace groups for marathon training, we are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. (That would be me at the slow end, in case you were wondering). My guess would be that Mark has run and won nearly every race available in the Dallas area, and probably several other cities as well. But if you look at who Mark spends time with at DRC events, it's runners of ALL paces and ability levels. He is a never ending source of encouragement for any new runner or walker. Mark could also be named the unofficial photographer of DRC- frequently with a camera in hand capturing any memorable moment.

Mark also has a sense of humor.....When Mark contacted me and said he wanted to sponsor a mile of my marathon, I told him that in honor of his 'speediness', that whatever mile he chose I would run at my fastest, thinking that as a sprinter, he'd choose a mile in the 5k or 10k range. Nope....Mile 22!!!! LOL!! Nothing like a good challege thrown down to inspire us to be our best! :)

THANKS for your support Mark!