Run Tim Run
January 13, 2001

By David Yon
I have known Tim Simpkins since the mid 70's. I am just not ready to let him go yet. I can't tell you the first day he step into the GWTC family, but it was around 1977 and he won the Tallahassee Marathon in 2:35:59 that year and maybe even the Grand Prix. But now Tim is in a race for his life. He's got cancer cells eating at the inside of his body and they are running as fast as they can to devour his liver and consume his life. He needs help finding the will and the strength to out run those nasty predators. And, God forbid, if he is not fast enough, he needs his friends even more. I want to rail, as I know many others do - why, how? How does such a horrible thing grab a healthy and honest soul? But for now there is no time for such things. For now, we must find a way to be strong and to share that strength with Tim. We must help him find the courage to run against this foe and fight this battle.

Tim, we are with you in body and in soul; wherever this race takes you. We ask only that you don't quit, that you run this race as you have all your races - with courage and with integrity. And you must know that we will follow you. And you will have our prayers, our support, our strength, our love and our tears. Remember, you are never fighting alone! Let's find a way to win this race! We have told you before you were special - four time grand prix champ, runner of the year, winner of the advancement of the sport award, hall of fame member. Now go run this race in the best way that you can.

With love from all at GWTC.

Send your best to Tim at:
1701 West Pensacola, Apt. 132
Tallahassee, FL. 32304
He is in room 1704 at Tallahassee Memorial, 431-1704