Spotlight on Jacques Benun
This month we are proud to introduce you to Jacques Benun. He is one of our amazing Austin, Texas Race Guards team members. He is also an excellent runner and has a wonderful appreciation for being out on the course helping others.
Q. HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN RACE GUARDS AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER?
A. Tracy Kilvinger (our national team director) was at one of our Austin Running Club Saturday morning runs to introduce Race Guards. I had a nice chat with her after the long run and signed up!
Q. WHAT IS THE MOST RECENT EVENT THAT YOU PARTICIPATED IN AND WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT IT?
A. The Houston Marathon in 2018. Incredible vibe, and the look of determination on all the runners was just inspiring.
Q. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE RACE GUARDS EVENT?
A. The Dallas Half Marathon in March 2017. I volunteered for the Expo at the Race Guards booth. I enjoyed meeting runners, sharing about our organization and teaching some first aid.
Q. WHAT MOMENT STICKS OUT FOR YOU IN TERMS OF HELPING SOMEONE DURING A RACE?
A. At the Houston Marathon, around mile 24 I saw a decent runner looking to do a 3:30 finish. He was struggling and he looked dehydrated. I gave him some salt and water and ran with him for a while doing some motivational cheering. He perked up and finished strong. He gave me a hug at the finish line.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS BACKGROUND AND HAVE YOU HAD ANY INJURIES TO OVERCOME ALONG THE WAY?
A. I have been running since I was 16 years old. I ran first as a sprinter and after a small hiatus, took on long distance running for more than 20 years. Two injuries that affected me the most: inflammation of my pubic bone for which I had to stop running for 3 months; and recently chronic lower back pain for which I had a gait analysis done with PT and now I am fully recovered and running better.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR FUNNIEST RACE GUARDS MOMENT?
A. Sitting in the car with other Race Guard runners before the Austin 3M Half Marathon race because it was cold. There were more in the car than we could fit…there was lots of laughing.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE OR TRAINING PIG-OUT FOOD?
A. TACOS!!!
Q. HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE IN ONE SENTENCE?
A. I love the saying “You don’t stop running because you get old. You get old because you stop running”
Q. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
A. Race Guards is a perfect blend of the two things I am passionate about; Running and helping others.