Winning the Columbus Marathon is just the beginning for Cecil Franke, who is now running towards the goal of competing in the Olympics.

Franke was unstoppable as a high school athlete at Jac-Cen-Del. He noted that while he took a short break from running in his late 20’s and early 30’s, he’s back on track. “I knew it was now or never,” laughed the 38-year-old , who teaches history at Centerville High School.

With the goal of the Olympics in mind, Franke began seriously training about five years ago. It has paid off. He ran his first marathon at Columbus, then in the spring of 2006 was the champion of the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. He then went back to Columbus just a couple of weeks ago to win with a time of 2:18:13, well under the 2:20:26 he did in Cincinnati.

Being under the 2:20 time was crucial. “All my expenses are now paid to New York,” explained Franke. That’s his next destination - Olympic Trials in Central Park, New York, in November of 2007.

Excited about the prospect of going to the Olympics, Franke said really all of his life has prepared him for this moment. He mentioned all the coaches he had when he was a student at Jac-Cen-Del, including Mark Comer, Don Yentes, David Bradshaw and Greg Whaley, friends and family that encouraged him and one Sports Editor, who covered the events in a personal way. “I didn’t know it at the time,” Franke said, “but, Ron Corfman was a big part of my forming years.” He said his personal approach to covering the sports for the local newspapers, the Osgood Journal and The Versailles Republican, made a big difference to him as an athlete.

Friends from Versailles, Bob and Duane Steele, traveled to Columbus to “cheer him on” at the recent Columbus Marathon. “He’s a great runner,” noted Bob, who said it won’t surprise him one bit to see Franke in the Olympics. A marathon runner himself, Bob noted that Franke “has what it takes” to become a greater champion than he already is.

“Talent is where you find it,” noted Franke, saying he hopes his story will inspire coaches and local programs to look for kids who have potential and haven’t yet been discovered. “They’re out there,” he concluded.

Hoping to place at least in the top ten when he runs in Central Park next year, Franke said it would be fantastic to be in the top three, which would secure him a spot in the National Olympics.
Franke said he might run a spring marathon next year, but will see what happens between now and then. One thing is certain, he will train like never before. He said the Columbus Marathon showed him he was going in the right direction with his training and he’ll continue with that.

“Think about this. Running a marathon is about like running from Versailles to Lawrenceburg or Madison,” noted Bob Steele. “It’s quite a run, and I’m real proud of Cecil,” he concluded. A marathon is 26.2 miles.

Franke and his wife Andrea make their home in Dublin. He has two daughters, Lauren and Bethany and a step-son Ryan Honnert. His parents still make their home in Ripley County, Harvey and Claudia Franke.

Franke says he’s proud of his “roots” and still calls Ripley County “home.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Cecil Franke at the 10 mile mark at a recent Columbus Marathon.