ORLANDO, Fla. —
The OUC Orlando Half Marathon is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and two runners are celebrating 50 years of running every race.
Alan Musanti, 76, and Gary Kane, 78, are preparing to continue a streak that began when the race was first held five decades ago.
“I’m very proud of being able to hang in all that time,” Musanti said.
Reflecting on last year’s race, Kane said, “When I crossed the finish line last year, I just wanted to sit down someplace and die.”
The two runners didn’t know each other when their journey began, but over the years, marriages, kids and jobs brought them together — along with their shared commitment to running the OUC and maintaining their streak.
“I remember one year when we started out of Church Street Station; it poured rain the whole time,” Musanti said. “And that was kind of fun, because once you’re wet, it’s fun to run in the rain.”
Kane recalled his first race vividly.
“I remember turning the corner at the first, you know, at the Chamber of Commerce building, seeing my finish line, and I broke into tears. I was just so happy to, and I thought, ‘I’ll never do this again,'” Kane said.
Over time, the streak became a significant part of their lives.
“It was maybe at 15 or so it started to feel like a big number,” Musanti said. “And at one point I started to question, ‘Am I happy about the streak or am I not happy about the streak?'”
As experts on the course, Musanti and Kane shared advice for runners tackling the downtown route.
“Keep looking down if you’re running on brick,” Musanti said. “Be careful for the occasional loose brick and be careful for the slippery wet bricks.”
“The course is nice, the shade is great, but the crowds are the best,” Kane said.
When asked if they plan to continue the streak beyond this year, Kane said, “I am told by my wife the answer to that question is no. But we’ll wait and see. I mean, God knows, you know, she might be out of town. Well, I won’t tell her.”
Musanti expressed hope to keep going but acknowledged the uncertainty of age.
“I hope to keep going, but one never knows at this age,” Musanti said.
For now, Musanti and Kane are focused on celebrating their 50-year commitment, with family cheering them on as they cross the finish line for the 50th time.
