Marathon Man Carruthers Qualifies for Another Race

David Carruthers, former chief executive-turned-runner, has qualified for the Boston Marathon, the oldest marathon in the United States, and he plans on breaking his own record.

"My plan is to run there April 20, 2009," Mr. Carruthers told IGamingNews. "I hope to smash the three-hour barrier."

He qualified this past weekend in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, which benefits the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Although Mr. Carruthers is currently on house arrest in St. Louis, Mo., where he is awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in offering illegal online sports betting services to United States citizens, his good behavior has earned him increased time out of the house, and he was granted leave to travel out of state for the event by Mary Ann L. Medler, magistrate judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

According to the Boston Athletic Association, in order to qualify for the marathon, athletes must meet the designated time standard that corresponds to their age group. Qualifying times for the 113th Boston Marathon must be run on or after September 29, 2007.

So, at age 51, Mr. Carruthers would need to finish last weekend's run in under three hours and 35 minutes, according to the Boston Athletic Association chart.

Not only did Mr. Carruthers qualify with a time of three hours, seven minutes and 29 seconds, he placed 105th overall -- he was the 89th male and second grandmaster in the 50-and-over age group to cross the finish line. However, his participation in the Boston Marathon is subject to approval by the United States government.

"Next things to do on my list are: Sign up for Boston, build a new training plan and break through that three-hour barrier next time," Mr. Carruthers wrote on his blog. "I have come a long way in a year of running after 35 years' break. The journey has been exhilarating and I feel happy to have had the opportunity to help others less fortunate than me at the same time as having fun."

Mr. Carruthers' Memphis Marathon team raised $32,000 for St. Jude's hospital.