NRCS National Atmospheric Resource Specialist Michele Laur has a very impressive record of marathons, triathlons, and other feats of speed and endurance. Her most recent ironman race was the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, October 2008, where 1,800 athletes competed in the 30th anniversary of the event.  Michele completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon in 16 hours, one hour before the official race cutoff time.

Michele reflects, “I look at these events as a celebration of life -- using everything I have to complete the race…these experiences gives me confidence in my ability to finish a tough ordeal.”  She probably doesn’t need to worry too much about her ability on that score, having run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. for the first time in 1994 and then four times after that.  Michele has run the Walt Disney World Marathon every year since it first began in 1994.  She also has four Boston Marathons under her belt including competing in the 100th anniversary of the race.  Already in 2009 she has run the Walt Disney Marathon and the Clearwater (Florida) Half Marathon.

Except for the Boston Marathon events and the full ironman races, Michele frequently participates in these events with family members (husband, sisters, brothers, and daughter).  Michele sees these events as a means to not only stay healthy but also a means to stay connected with family.

Since her father died from cancer in 1999, Michele has looked for new challenges like Run for the Cure-type races that sponsor efforts to find a cure for the disease.  She finds these events very inspirational:  “To see the courage and determination of cancer survivors at these events is awe-inspiring.  It puts in perspective everything else one encounters in life.”

Michele has been with NRCS since 2006.  She previously worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Your contact is NRCS public affairs specialist Fred Jacobs at 202-720-4772.