Multimedia Reporting (Bradford-Utsler)

A KU senior graduate student from Albuquerque, NM, differs from fellow peers because he exceeds whatever is expected of him.

Bethany Brown says what makes Richard Friesner different is “his caring for other people. He is very service oriented, everything he thinks about, in the back of his mind, is how he can help other people.”

Richard Friesner contributes his greatest accomplishment to his graduation this May with a Masters of Science in Environmental Science. Some could disagree though when comparing all Friesner has achieved throughout his college career.

A marathon runner, Friesner uses his athletic ability to service others. A year ago on New Years, he ran a 24-hour marathon to raise $600 for the Jubilee Café and this Wednesday Friesner will again run for a cause, but this time everything is bigger.

Starting on Wednesday at noon, Friesner will run back and forth from Stauffer-Flint to the Chi Omega Fountain, for three days or until he raises $3,000. Only stopping for food, water and naps, most likely during the hottest hours of the day, Friesner will use his marathon training to help those in need.

Carolyn Tharp, Lawrence senior and CCO Coordinator for the Jubilee Café says to have someone help out like this and hopefully reach his goal will be very exciting. “This has been his baby. We’ve just been supporting him.”

Friesner credits his community service help to his parents, saying they always volunteered. He was taught that helping others and doing philanthropic events is “part of a normal life.”

Still an active boy scout, Friesner has always done community service. He can be found every Friday morning at the Jubilee Café giving his time. “He is always one of the first people there, ready to help out with a smile on his face, and a joke,” Tharp said.

A high school track star, Friesner has been running since he started. This Forrest Gump contributes running to his success in his everyday life. He stopping running his first semester at KU and didn’t make the grades he wanted. “I found I could focus better when I have that energy (from running). When I have a lot going on I can focus on each thing better and work on my time management.”

Since Friesner’s first marathon, he has increased his distance and time. Friesner started in the Kansas City marathon with a running time of three hours and 19 minutes. In his latest race, the Boston Marathon on April 17, he set a personal record of two hours and 56 minutes.

To further his accomplishments, Friesner has ran many ultramarathons, one being the Brew to Brew in 2004. The Brew to Brew goes from Kansas City to Lawrence, which is roughly 44 miles.

An ultramarathon, by definition, according to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia online, is any distance longer than a regular marathon, which is 26.2 miles.

Generally, there are two types of ultra marathons: one based on distance and the other on time.

To run a marathon, especially an ultramarathon, a person must be in great physical shape, with many months of training. Friesner keeps in shape by running everyday, with his long runs on the weekends. He has a base of running 70 to 80 miles weekly, including one hill workout, in which he runs around the Camponile area for 30 minutes.

When a marathon arises, Friesner will add more speed workouts, that incorporate more hills and mile repeats-- when a person runs a mile quickly, breaks, then continues with another mile.

When asked why this speedy runnner isn’t on the KU Track or Cross Country team, he replied that he isn’t fast enough.

“He is very fast,” Brown said. She sometimes accompanies him on runs, but either bikes alongside him or he has to run slower to stay with her pace.

Next week Brown will be helping Friesner with his run. She will “man the table” on Wescoe Beach collecting donations, along with providing water and food when he needs it.

“I definantly liked him right away,” Brown said, when talking about the first time she met Friesner. “He has such a friendly personality.”

Friesner’s contributions will help many people in need. With $1500 in donations, he is already half-way to his goal.

Tharp said Friesner has taken the intiative and done everything, for the race, on his own. “I think it’s a neat idea, a creative way to raise money for the homeless.”