Disease Proof

Running fifty marathons, in fifty states, in fifty days, is not the easiest way to go about it. But it's one way. And it's starting next month. The Chicago Sun-Times has details of 43-year-old Dean Karnazes' quest:

''Proceeds will benefit the 'Karno Kids.' I started the foundation as an anti-obesity campaign. We're getting kids and youth more active and engaged, eating better and embracing physical well-being.''

Eight of the marathons -- including Chicago's -- will be run on their normal days. The other 42 will be recreations of established marathon routes. The Boston Marathon, for example, is run in April, but race organizers will recreate the exact route for Karnazes and other runners.

''This has been a few years in the making,'' Karnazes said. ''We are going to run certified courses in every state. I want to make sure that's documented.''

Some pedestrians might be inconvenienced by the police escorts accompanying Karnazes and his groups in the recreated races, but considering one-third of children in this country are obese, the Sunday Drive applauds all attempts to promote physical well-being.

Karnazes has completed other extraordinary feats: he once moved 350 miles straight, which took nearly 81 sleepless hours. He has crossed both Death Valley and the South Pole. In other words: he might actually pull this off.