Published: May 02, 2008 10:40 pm         

Family tradition

12-year-old follows aunt, stepdad in running mini-marathon

After running the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis last year, Matt Lange felt a sense of accomplishment.

Finishing the race two years in a row was a special feat for the Logansport resident.

In 2004, his sister, Kim Adair of Windfall, was killed in a car accident. She was 33. Adair, an avid runner and a member of Kokomo Roadrunners, had run a mini-marathon two weeks before her death.

Lange said running a mini marathon had been Adair’s goal as a runner. Though he admits he had never been interested in running before her death, Lange decided to pick up the sport in memory of his sister.

“When you lose someone you love, you pick something up that they love to do,” he said. “It was my way of getting closer to her.”

Lange said finishing the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon in 2006 was an emotional experience.

“You feel proud for doing something she would be proud of,” he said, adding, “It would have been nice for her to be with me. There’s a lot of emotions. A lot of wishing you could have done that when she was alive.”

Lange also completed the Chicago marathon in October 2006.

“Before her accident, I never ran more than a mile,” he laughed. “To me running is spiritual. You can do a lot of talking when you’re running, especially to yourself.”

He said running in the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon and Chicago marathon allowed him to deal with the grief of his sister’s loss.

“It has helped me more than anything,” he said.

But tragedy struck the family again.

In February 2007, Lange’s vehicle was hit by a semi on U.S. 31.

At the time, he was training for the 2007 Indianapolis Mini-Marathon.

The crash injured his hip. For three months, he was forced to use a walker and wheelchair.

“I wasn’t able to put any pressure on my leg,” he said.

One day as he was sitting in church, however, he decided he still wanted to participate in the mini in 2007 — this time in his wheelchair.

Lange had to find a suitable wheelchair for the event, and he spent a few weeks training. During the race, he wore a “Team Kim” sweatshirt.

Lange thought he would make a full recovery and begin training for the mini this year. But doctors told him that wasn’t going to happen.

He was diagnosed with traumatic arthritis, which prevents him from performing any rigorous activities.

“I can run, but it would dissolve my joints,” he said.

Lange now walks with a limp, and he has had to endure two surgeries from the time of the accident.

Lange’s stepson, Deion Rennewanz, 12, watched him complete the event in his wheelchair last year, and he decided he wanted to continue the tradition. He had run the Cass County Turkey Trot with his uncle, Chuck Shackelford, in 2006.

Lori Lange, Matt’s wife, said her son began training for Saturday’s mini-marathon in January with Shackelford.

“I’m excited for him to carry on the tradition,” she said about Deion. “He was really close to his Aunt Kim.”

Shackelford, who lives in LaPorte, said he was proud of his nephew.

“The kid’s got so much energy and spirit,” he said. “He’s a great kid. He’s all heart.”

Shackelford said the experience had allowed the two to spend time bonding.

“It allows us time to think and reflect and talk about life in general,” Shackelford said. “The last time we ran, he asked, ‘What are we going to do after this?’”

Matt is disappointed that he won’t be running with Deion, but he’ll be cheering him on from the sidelines.

“It takes a lot of guts to do something like that,” he said of his stepson.

Deion said he had enjoyed the training, which has helped him with playing baseball and participating on Lincoln Middle School’s track team.

Matt said a lot of prayer and hard work had allowed the family to carry on his sister’s tradition.

In September, a 5K held at Tri-Central High School in Tipton County will be dedicated to Adair. For more information about the event, call Lori Lange at (574) 722-4063.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com