He's not a professional, but he's on a mission to help runners.
"On the back of my shirt it says same day finisher," Dean Peterson explained. "I don't care how long it takes me as long as I have fun at the event."
Peterson is a part of the "Marathon Maniacs." This weekend, he'll run his 144th marathon when he competes in the Community First Fox Cities Marathon.
"These folks have done a couple hundred each in their lifetime," he said of the other 'Maniacs.' "They can help you finish an event, they can help you along the way. It's so special to finish."
But Peterson himself is a special runner. He's also known as the "flag man." For the last 75 marathons, he's carried an American flag during the entire race.
He started running marathons in 1999, with his first being the Fox Cities Marathon. However, it was an inspiration more than 1,000 miles away from Appleton that hit home for him.
"I was fortunate enough to do the marathon after 9/11 in Providence, Rhode Island," he explained. "It was so cool coming into town, they took the white stripe, made it red and blue and places all over carrying the flag. They gave us a flag pin and I've had it on my hat ever since."
Peterson said one time someone asked him about the pin and after he explained, he asked Peterson to carry a flag for his son who was serving overseas.
When it gets tough during those 26.2 miles, Dean said he thinks about the sacrifices made to get him past the finish line.
"When you think about quitting, carrying the flag...it's not going to happen," he said.
Peterson is hosting a "First Timers" clinic tomorrow at UW-Fox Valley. For more information, visit the marathon's website here.
