Oklahoman Runs Boston Marathon With Special Purpose

Major Dan Rooney describes himself as an avid jogger.

The father of four carves out time each day to hit the pavement for miles at a time. Some days he runs up to 20 miles.

After an hour or so outside, he trades his jogging gear for slacks, a polo shirt and some golf spikes. He captains the Folds of Honor Foundation out of the Patriot Club golf course in Owasso but admits he hasn't played very much golf at all lately.

He's way too busy.

Rooney is juggling multiple projects. The two on the top of his list are the Patriot Cup in May and the 116th Boston Marathon in mid-April. The 39-year-old has been training for the nation's premier race for eight weeks.

"To get to go run the Mecca of marathons is exciting. It's also a little scary," said Rooney, an 11-year fighter pilot veteran. "Heartbreak Hill from mile 18 to 21 has been things that legends have been made of."

"I'm hope for everybody that you can run a marathon."

The race he's running carries more weight than others. Rooney is nation-minded and is always pushing for more support for families that have been left without those who served us proudly.

The Folds of Honor Foundation provides scholarship money to the families of military service men and women who have been wounded or killed on the field of battle while serving America in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By his count, there are now over one million dependants in that very situation.

"Over 87 percent don't qualify for federal education assistance," he said. "We are asking one million Americans, one million Tulsans even, to stand up to represent each one of these individuals with as little as $26.20 representing the 26.2 miles that I'll run on April 16th in the Boston Marathon."

During his jog around the Patriot Club on Thursday afternoon, Major Rooney stopped and chatted with dozens of golfers who wanted to wish him well on his quest. Many of them pledged their support on the spot when he mentioned the $26.20 initiative.

Rooney has run marathons in the past. He completed one in Chicago in October 2010. He also ran one in Washington D.C. The opportunity to run this next race in Boston, especially with the foundation's mission in mind, is one that he takes very seriously.

Despite the challenges that a 26.2 miles races presents on your body, he plans to push through with a purpose.

"When you think about the pain and suffering and sacrifice that have been made by so many of these families for our freedoms, it pales in comparison and is something that will provide great motivation for me."

The 116th Boston Marathon is April 16th. For more information on how you can support Major Rooney you can visit the Folds of Honor Foundation donations website.