Pioneer Press article from July 11, 2008

Death Valley run to help kids

July 10, 2008

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Last month, I received the following e-mail from 57-year-old Seymour Rifkind, member of Buffalo Grove's Flat Soles Running Club:

"...I'm doing a 135-mile charity run in Death Valley, July 25-27, to raise money for neglected and abused children in the area. It's called the Badwater Solo and is considered the most difficult race in the world. Running club members will accompany me and provide support with food, liquid and emergency assistance if necessary. Our goal is to raise $135,000."

By Susan Dubin

I called Rifkind just after he finished a practice run of 75 miles. Surprisingly, he sounded totally normal and energetic.

Rifkind told me his motivation to run Badwater came from wanting to raise funds and awareness for Lake County PADS Crisis Services, which provides emergency shelter and food, and the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, which helps child abuse victims.

"I've always been very goal-oriented," said Rifkind, who's been married to Holly for 27 years and has two sons, Aaron and Ryan.

When not training, Rifkind is a motivational speaker and marketing consultant. He's also the author of 21st Century Samurai: The Secret Path to Success and Fulfillment. In addition, Rifkind was an Illinois gymnastics champion, he's summited mountains, competed in tennis, became a black belt in tae kwon do in his '50s and is an Ironman triathlete.

"Badwater requires a minimum crew of three people to accompany me," said Rifkind, whose crew includes Buffalo Grove residents Mitch Friedman and Dave Cohn and Lake Zurich resident John Gagliardi. "They stock a van with everything and take care of me so I can run the race and survive it. It's just as hot for the crew members, too. Some people say the heat in Badwater is like putting a hairdryer on full blast and sticking your face into it."

So how many shoes does it take to run 135 miles in the dessert?

"You typically take 8 to 10 pairs of shoes because the heat literally melts the rubber off," Rifkind said. "After 75 miles, some people cut off the front of their shoes because their feet swell so much."

"I wouldn't do this if I didn't have the motivation of the kids," Rifkind said. "In the Chicagoland area we have kids in need, without a place to sleep or a decent meal or who are being abused. I'm fully aware I will go through hell, but it's nothing like the living conditions these kids go through in a daily basis. Whatever I can do to help these kids and families is the driving force here."

"Badwater is as much an inner journey as an outer one," Rifkind added. "It's not so much a race but a test of survival and perseverance in the most unforgiving landscape on earth. Anyone who survives and gets to the Portals of Mount Whitney is forever changed."

For information or to donate, visit www.135x4.com or call Rifkind directly at (847) 757-5379.