Rex Bowman at the Finish Line in Roanoke Marathon

Rex Bowman finishes in 4:33:41 (that's hours).^

Rex approaches the finish line to thunderous applause from the throngs.^

Rex gets an assist from a race volunteer (take note of this Jenny).^

Rex and his newspaper colleague Brian Kelley congratulate each other after their finish. Brian, who is an editor, beat Rex. Rex swears he slowed down to let that happen*.^

My good pal Rex Bowman was among the hundreds who finished Roanoke's killer (up Mill and Roanoke Mountains) Blue Ridge Marathon today in a respectable four and a half hours. Rex was one of a group of participants from the local daily newspaper who took part.

Said Rex, "That damn race nearly killed me ... Thank god I don't have to do that again."

Now, maybe I can get his sorry ass out to a ball game. Marathoning is obsessive-compulsive behavior and a little baseball break might lead to better mental health.

(* Joke. Heh, heh, heh ...)