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For Alex Simkovich, running is a way of life. The 72-year-old Ligonier Township resident began running as a youngster growing up in Jacobs Creek.

"I would run through pastures and hurdle fences to go to the grocery store for my mother," Simkovich said.

In January 1998, while visiting friends in Michigan, Simkovich decided to go for a run. Then 64 years old, he completed eight miles.

"I thought, 'By gosh, I'm going to do a marathon,'" he said. "I completed the Pittsburgh Marathon in May that year."

Simkovich competed in five Pittsburgh marathons. On a 2001 visit to his son, Don, who lives in Los Angeles, Simkovich participated in half a marathon.

"I couldn't do the entire 26.2 miles because I had torn cartilage in my knee. The weather there was terrible. It was cold and raining. I was wearing a red baseball cap and several women had passed me smiling. My very white hair was turning red from the rain and cap," he said, laughing.

Several years ago, Simkovich thought his running days were over.

"After the 2003 Pittsburgh Marathon, I did a five-mile race in Latrobe. Walking up my driveway after that race, my legs were so tired. I thought I'd never run again," he said.

Last summer, Simkovich decided he would run again and to do that he needed to strengthen his body. He began taking various vitamin and mineral supplements and started lifting weights.

"On Dec. 1, I decided to run two miles around the Latrobe Reservoir. I came back, took a shower and felt so invigorated. I couldn't believe how great I felt," Simkovich added. "That's when I decided to do the Marine Corps marathon."

The Marine Corps marathon will be held on Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C. The marathon began in 1976 and is known as "The People's Marathon." Last year there were 20,072 individuals who started the race and 19,211 who finished. The marathon course takes runners throughout the Washington area.

Simkovich had a heart stress test completed at Excela Health Latrobe Area Hospital to make sure his body was up to the marathon challenge. Doctors gave him the OK.

His training consists of weightlifting and running three miles three days a week. He also completes a long slow run every three weeks and gradually adds extra miles to the jog.

"The idea is to get the distance in just before the race. In October, I'll do sprints for speed but no long distances in the hope that I'll peak at the marathon," Simkovich said.

He also watches what he eats. Simkovich drinks whole unpasteurized milk and takes a protein powder that is specifically processed at low temperatures.

"These protein products haven't been heated, so they enable the formation in my cells of a protein called glutathione, known as a master antioxidant. As we age, we have less and less of this in our cells. It detoxifies our bodies and enhances our immune system," Simkovich said. "I can feel the buildup of strength and muscle toning throughout my body."

It's unknown if Simkovich will be the oldest runner to participate in the Marine Corps marathon, but he does have another claim to fame. His name has been orbiting the Earth since 1958 and will continue to circle the globe for 246 years.

As a U.S. Navy officer in 1956, Simkovich was assigned to Project Vanguard, the first U.S. space satellite.

"One of my responsibilities was to make sure the satellite was balanced before it was shipped to Cape Canaveral for launching. I inscribed my name on the lead weight that was used to balance the satellite," Simkovich said. "The satellite with my name inside it was launched on St. Patrick's Day 1958. My name circles the Earth every 90 minutes. It's traveled billions and billions of miles, farther than anyone else in the history of mankind."

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