Marie Korn, 47

Owner of Quancor Marketing Solutions and Road Runner Volunteer Scorer

I've been a Rockford Road Runner for...........years – actually, I’m not even a member, just related through marriage!

I joined because being new to the area I wanted to get to meet more people and have more in common with Steve besides work. Getting involved is far more interesting than standing on the sidelines.

My favorite races to volunteer are the Trail Runs. The weather conditions make them more challenging and seeing runners with icicles hanging off their faces is to say the least...different. Also the Waterfront since Steve and I get more involved in that one than any other race.

What is is like being married to a runner? Challenging at times. Friday evening dinners are restricted to omelets, pancakes or pasta and early bedtimes so no Friday nights out. I look forward to Saturday evening as my night out. Lots and lots of T-shirts – real high fashion wardrobe! Sweaty running clothes dumped in the laundry tub but never put in the washing machine. Listening to moans and groans about aches and pains, race times, training runs and hard Road Crew workouts just to watch him go out and do it again week after week. Through it all though, I’ve developed respect for Steve because he never has given up even though I think he’s nuts to run in one direction just to come right back to where he started.

The thing I find most interesting about runners is their willingness to go back out for more punishment.

If you get more than two runners in a room ALL THEY TALK ABOUT IS RUNNING! From a non-runners point of view, this is boring!!! Now that I am involved more at the races at least I understand what they are talking about BUT IT IS STILL BORING! Oh yes, and having to take the tags off of dripping wet, sweaty, foaming at the mouth runners as they pass through the chute. That’s fun!

The runners who somehow avoid running into the finishing chute and instead decide to go around the chute. OPEN YOUR EYES! Oh yes, dogs and baby carriages, finish chutes and scorers don’t mix. Just thought you should know. What is it like being behind the scenes at the races? Contrary to popular opinion Tom Krause can be a very nice guy and I enjoy working with him. Just do what he says, when he says it and don’t make mistakes and you’ll be fine. Really, I do enjoy working with Tom. Regardless of the race it is exciting to watch the first runners come across the finish line.

My favorite part is time keeping. I get to cheer on the runners as they near the finish line while sitting in my chair.

After a race I like to... since I won’t smoke during the race, have a cigarette and then make Steve take me out for breakfast.

When I'm not volunteering for the RRR I like to work in my yard, take care of my flower beds and make plans with my newly engaged daughter.

I'm passionate about the business that we own, Quancor and most importantly my husband Steve, my daughter Angela and her fiancée Adam, and my son Brian.

I am inspired by the people I see at races who are far from being in front but show up week after week.

The local runner I most admire is my husband Steve.

My greatest accomplishment is building our company to what it is today.

After my foot heals and I lose a few more pounds, maybe I’ll try this running thing.

My advice to runners....GET A LIFE! (just kidding…maybe)

I plan to stay involved with the RRR until Steve picks up a new hobby!