(A rare moment of rest for Bill Rex. From left to right: Pat Crimmins, Tony Stancati of St. Charles, Ray Rogina and Rex.)
“I don’t know that I have any special talent.”
So says 82-year-old Bill Rex, a Geneva resident who is one of the most prolific marathon runners in the United States. Rex has completed 570 marathons in his 43-year running career. (Soon to be 571, as he is running a marathon in Paducah, Kentucky, this weekend.)
Rex was interviewed recently by former St. Charles mayor Ray Rogina and Geneva lawyer Pat Crimmins on their new “Just A Coupla Guys” podcast.
Rex’s 570 completed marathons makes him the most prolific marathon runner in the state of Illinois, and the 36th most prolific in the country. He has run marathons in all 50 states, and has done so multiple times in the continental 48.
“I can’t claim that I’ve done them well, but I’ve done them often.”
Not content with running “just” marathons, Rex has participated in what are called “ultras,” which go beyond the standard 26.2 miles to extend to 30+ miles. He has also run back-to-back marathons, which involve completing two marathons on consecutive days.
“I don’t know, somehow I can just shuffle along without breaking down,” he says about his endurance in ultras and back-to-backs. “I guess it’s just a gift. It certainly doesn’t involve any talent on my part.”
“I’ve always gone by the four D’s: Drive, Desire, Discipline and Determination. I think it’s just stubbornness. Maybe I’m good at that, I don’t know.”
Listen to the full discussion below.
