A marathon with a Message

...Flynn, who has known the Bleill family "for about a dozen years," suggested that this year his students try to help the injured Marine, "and they just jumped at the chance." Flynn said nobody has to finish the 26.2 miles to pass his class, although he does put up brochures that advertise the annual Derby run as "Purdue's toughest final exam." In fact, he and one student are signed up for the miniMarathon, half the distance, this morning.

Flynn predicted that "the feeling of accomplishment" of those who finish the full race will be enhanced by knowing they've helped somebody else.

"We've been impressed by how determined and courageous Josh has been" during the recovery, Flynn added.

Bleill has a blog, www.joshbleill.blogspot.com.

One of the pictures shows him as President Bush pins the Purple Heart to his shirt.

In another, he's on a treadmill with his artificial legs.

He is smiling in both photos.

Jon Ealey, Catherine Taylor and Jenny Bitzan, three of the Purdue students who were en route to Louisville yesterday afternoon, said they were glad their marathon will help a Marine who went to Purdue.

"I mean it is an extraordinary thing," said Ealey, who has been running three or four days a week and will be in his first marathon.

"He's a Boilermaker, so helping him out sounded like the right thing to do." Taylor, 22, a senior majoring in health and fitness who also is a first-time marathoner, said she and the other students wanted to help even though none of them ...

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