Roanoke Times - December 29
by Evelio Contreras
Original Article
May 2006:
Spencer hoped walking could help him memorize Bible passages. He was too distracted to read at home. So he used a Sony Walkman on long walks to help him focus. Soon, he began running. He weighed 260 pounds in the spring of 2002. By that summer, he had memorized two chapters and lost more than 80 pounds in three months. He also began a running program at Raleigh Court Elementary School during school and after school on Thursdays.
His students finished the school year having run 2,630 miles. So far, his students this year have logged 1,025 miles and are on pace to surpass 3,000 miles during the school year, Spencer said.
After he was profiled in Neighbors in May, Spencer was asked to serve as the spokesman for the Rescue Mission's first Drumstick Dash 5K. As the Rescue Mission's "spokesturkey" -- Spencer wore a giant turkey outfit that covered his 6-foot, 190-pound frame -- he asked people to register for the race at Kroger, Gold's Gym and events at the Rescue Mission. He also ran the 5K, encouraging runners and walkers to finish the race.
