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Treasure Island marathon runner targets charitable causes
By BOB McCLURE
Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008
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![[Image]](/content_images/080508_bhb-01.jpg) |
| Photo by BOB McCLURE |
| Melody Tabman of Treasure Island is running for Team Autism Speaks in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 2. |
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TREASURE ISLAND – Ever since her best friend died of leukemia, Melody Tabman has dedicated her running life to charitable causes.
The shocking loss of her close friend led the 48-year-old Treasure Island resident to ramp up her fitness running regimen to a more competitive level.
“After she passed away, I wanted to do something for leukemia or a similar charity,” Tabman, an advertising rep for a local radio station, explained.
After hearing a radio advertisement for the Leukemia Society’s Team In Training, a program that trains runners for marathons, Tabman got interested.
She quickly learned about the system and how it works. Team In Training would train her and she would be required to raise $2,900 for the Leukemia Society. In turn, Team In Training would pay for her race entry fee, hotel and transportation from the hotel to the race for a marathon of choice.
After raising $8,000 for the organization, second most in her division, Tabman chose the 2007 Disney Marathon for her first 26.2-mile effort that she finished in 5 hours, 30 minutes.
Earlier this year, she ran in the Disney again (finishing in just over 5 hours), this time raising $5,800 for the American Heart Association.
“My father passed away from heart disease last year on Memorial Day (2007),” said Tabman. “So I approached them. I wanted to do something to help.”
Persons interested in her cause could donate any amount desired through a Web site the AHA set up specifically for fund-raising purposes.
Tabman’s third marathon will be the 2008 New York City Marathon Nov. 2. Her beneficiary this time will be Autism Speaks, a fund-raising arm for autism research.
“My cousin’s child, Connor McDaniel in Pensacola, has autism and cannot speak,” she said.
Tabman will be one of about 55 Team Autism Speaks runners competing in the New York event – all of whom must raise $2,500 for autism through fundraisers and sponsorships.
As part of her effort, Tabman and her husband Stuart have arranged for a silent auction at Ricky T’s Bar and Grille,10601 Gulf Blvd., Aug. 9, 5 to 7 p.m. that will offer a variety of impressive items.
“I knew I wanted to do a silent auction,” she said. “I was trying to come up with a few places and my husband suggested (Ricky T’s) because he had been to one there that (Ricky T’s owner Sherri Taylor) had put on.”
Among the most prized items Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans will be bidding on “Nasty for a Day,” a day with Bucs super fan Keith Kunzig who is often seen on television commercials decked out with a big horn and lots of face paint. The package includes two tickets to a Bucs home game on the 50-yard line with Nasty, face painting and a tailgate party involving a Bucs player. At the last auction Kunzig offered his services, the package sold for $4,300.
Other items will include an Orlando weekend getaway at the Nickelodeon Hotel with passes to Universal Studios, a certificate to the Don CeSar Spa Oceania, a two-night stay at the Sirata Beach Resort, tickets to a Neil Diamond concert, artwork, $100 Macy’s gift certificate, jewelry, wine baskets and more.
Tabman trains six days a week in preparation for the marathon and is currently running about 45 miles per week with members of the Forerunners and St. Pete Road Runners clubs. She does her speed work at St. Petersburg College under Coach Joe Burgaser of the Forerunners Club and generally runs early Sunday mornings in the Demon’s Landing area of northeast St. Petersburg with other club members.
“The marathon is the easy part,” Tabman said. “It’s the six months leading up to it that’s hard.”
Following the New York City Marathon, her goal is to run one more domestic marathon before concentrating on an event in Europe.
“The following year (2010) I’ll be 50 and the Paris Marathon is a day before my birthday,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to run Paris. Then, after that, I’ll probably concentrate on half marathons.”
For further information on Tabman’s fundraising efforts or to make a donation to her cause, call 688-5396.
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Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008
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