David Carruthers Fit for Tenn. Marathon, Blazing Charitable Trail

As the world buckles beneath the weight of the financial crisis, it pays to hear about somebody doing some good -- especially one of Internet gambling's own.

David Carruthers, the former chief executive of BetonSports -- once the leading company in online sports betting -- has been on house arrest in St. Louis, Mo., for over two years. He is awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in offering United States customers illegal online gambling services. During his time in St. Louis, however, Mr. Carruthers has earned increased amounts of time outside of his home -- now up to nine hours a day.

A trial date is, at this point, nowhere in the foreseeable future, but in the meantime, Mr. Carruthers has been turning his time and attention toward pursuits benefiting the mind, body and spirit.

Mr. Carruthers will run a marathon on Saturday in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Despite his house-arrest status, Mr. Carruthers was granted leave to travel out of state by Mary Ann L. Medler, magistrate judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Mr. Carruthers has been focusing on running since October 2007 when he began training for the Go St. Louis Marathon last April. Ahead of the marathon, he raised $3,500 for two charities: BackStoppers, an organization that assists the families of fallen police and firefighters, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Since his first marathon, in which he placed 668th out of 1,618, Mr. Carruthers has participated in over 25 runs, including the Lewis and Clark Marathon, which was terminated at mile 10 because of Hurricane Ike, and a half marathon.

St. Jude was founded in 1962 by Danny Thomas, an American entertainer, on the principle that "no child should die in the dawn of life." All medically eligible patients accepted for treatment are treated regardless of their ability to pay. St. Jude welcomes patients from all over the world.

Research conducted by the doctors at St. Jude has changed the way children with diseases like cancer and other catastrophic illnesses are treated. And their ongoing research is needed to find cures for diseases like H.I.V., sickle cell and other life-threatening illnesses facing children.

Mr. Carruthers, whose team has raised over $30,000 for St. Jude ahead of the marathon, told IGamingNews via e-mail today that he wants to thank all of his friends who have supported and continue to support him.

The St. Jude marathon is not the last race Mr. Carruthers will ever participate in, but it may be a few months before the next one. Looking ahead, he has set his sights high.

"I want to run Boston before I leave the United States; the next opportunity would be April 2009," Mr. Carruthers said. "It would be cool to run against Ryan Hall, the American marathon record holder. He is running in Boston next year."

Mr. Carruthers runs because he wants to achieve optimal physical condition and good health for as long as possible. He also wants to inspire others to adopt a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

But Mr. Carruthers told IGN that the best part of running is winning.

"I shall never change," he said. "I love winning in everything. And I don't plan on stopping at running."