Alan Wakeling

Steve Virgen

Seven years ago, when Alan Wakeling would cry over the torture of

seeing his daughter go through so much pain, he went to the place

where he found solace.

Wakeling laced up his running shoes and hit the streets, his legs

churning and his mind escaping, somewhat, into the rhythm of each

stride.

His daughter, Tarah, a former Corona del Mar High cross country

runner, was involved in a traumatic automobile accident that left her

family devastated. She was 25 at the time, vibrant and energetic. She

suffered major brain damage, to the point she could not speak or

write.

Doctors told Wakeling, his daughter would most likely not be able

to recover.

“[My wife Kathy and I] prayed every night,” said Wakeling, who

also ran, and ran, and ran. “Without running, I think I would have

gone off the end. I think I would have lost my mind.”

Today, Wakeling continues to run. Now he’s inspired by his

daughter. Tarah did, in fact, recover from her injuries. She lives

near her father in Newport Beach and has been able to regain her

speech and everyday capabilities. About the only reminder of the

accident is that Tarah walks a bit off balance.

“She is a hero in my heart,” Wakeling said. “I’m so proud of her.”

His daughter’s courage remains a motivational factor when he runs.

And, he does run a lot.

Most people recognize him, as he runs frequently around the

community. A 64-year-old, grey-bearded man with his shirt off usually

stands out to the point people approach him at the grocery store and

ask, “Aren’t you that guy who is always running?”

Wakeling, known to some as “Running Man,” runs about 60 miles a

week.

A member of the Newport-Beach based Cal Coast Club, Wakeling has

won several awards for the various 5,000-meter and half-marathon

events he has competed in.

He is preparing for the Saddleback 5K, May 30-31. He will also be

running in the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K, June 5, and plans to compete

in the half-marathon portion of the Orange County Marathon, that goes

through Newport Beach and Irvine, Dec. 5.

For Wakeling, running is a necessity.

“I’m a fanatic about it,” he said. “If I couldn’t run I don’t know

what I would do. I just love to get out. On some days, I ride my

bike. I love nature. I just love the fresh air. I love to run. I

don’t see anything more exciting. It’s the most joy I have. If I

can’t run, I won’t be happy.”

Wakeling, originally from London, has been running for the past 30

years. He began to relieve tension and he finds time to meditate when

he is pumping his legs and arms. He also loves to compete.

He sets goals and does his best to achieve them. He usually

finishes his races among the top three in his age group.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Wakeling said of competing. “It’s such

a rewarding experience. It’s my high, like a drug to me.”

Wakeling also maintains a strict diet of raw foods. About 80% of

the food he eats consists of fruits and vegetables.

Exercise and diet, he believes, have helped keep him youthful

“Aging is very strange,” he said. “I still feel like I’m 30. I

don’t feel any different. I just notice when I see myself in the

mirror. But I still feel young and I feel great.”

Wakeling said running gave him strength to accomplish other goals

in life. He used to work in the diet industry, but then took a

chance.

He began creating theme calendars and, in 1993, came up with the

idea of featuring one breed of dog in a calendar. The idea took off

and proved to be lucrative.

“I started this business out of my garage,” Wakeling said. Within

three years, we picked up 10 employees and made about $1.5 million

that third year.”

Wakeling still maintains that business, but plans to retire in

about three years. He will probably find something else to do, but he

may always continue to run.

“I like challenges,” he said. “You have to keep the mind working.

You have to give your mind challenges.”