Mickey Depalo prepares for his 16th straight L.A. marathon
By Alex Leon, Photo by Jill Karnicki
Mickey Depalo prepares for his 16th straight L.A. marathon
By Alex Leon, Photo by Jill Karnicki
Verdugo Park - Cruise the streets of Burbank any given morning around 5am and the sight of a man running at a brisk pace might catch your eye.
At a time when the only sounds on the street are from a few cars and maybe a newspaper landing on a doorstep, Mickey Depalo is in his element.
Anybody else might call this time the calm before the storm of a busy day. But for the 54-year-old Depalo, a long-time Burbank resident, running in the early morning hours shows his passion for running, and life in general.
Since 1979, he has been a dedicated runner who meticulously charts his mileage and progress in journals that he still refers to today. Two years later in 1981, Depalo ran his first marathon and will be closing in on almost 50 of the 26-mile, 385-yard races when he toes the starting line on March 4 for the 16th L.A. Marathon.
Depalo, a 35-year employee of the Burbank Park and REcreation Department and a recreation program coordinator at Verdugo Park, said he is proud to say that he has run in all 15 of the previous L.A. Marathons, and is looking forward to his next one.
"I can say most definitely that every marathon that I have run in has been a different experience, and I approach each one, especially those in culturally diverse Los Angeles, exactly that way," Depalo sad. "From the support the runners get from people crowding the streets, to the volunteers who keep us supplied with water and snacks, I'm very proud to have run in the Los Angeles event every year.
In fact, I not only encourage people in Burbank to get fit, but to take up running as a pastime and participating in a marathon as a goal. I can say from experience that it changed my life for the better."
Depalo loves his life and loves what he does. After moving with his family to Burbank from Kentucky in 1956, he became a self-described gym rat at nearby McCabridge Park, and that's where his association with the Park and Rec programs began.
He played baseball and basketball at Burbank High before graduating in 1964. He went on to play baseball at Glendale Community College in 1965 and 1966 before completing his education at Cal State Northridge.
Although his formal education may have stopped a long time ago, Depalo has never stopped learning. And that fuels his zest for life, especially when it comes to helping people and families get the most out of recreation and getting fit.
"The thing that impresses me about Mickey is that he is always very fair with his staff and the people he comes into contact with, " said Mike Graceffo, a recreation specialist who has worked with Depalo for 10 years. "Beyond that, he is really a role model to a lot of people, including myself, because of his dedication to running and how he takes care of his body through eating right and getting enough rest."
Even someone who runs before the sun comes up has to rest some times. But it seems like Depalo is in perpetual motion, as his days are a blur of training, working at Verdugo, coaching his son Michaels' third and fourth grade Park and Rec basketball teams with Graceffo, and spending time with his family.
He is a perfect example of what fitness can do for person, and Depalo offers encouragement to anyone seeking just the right outlet at Verdugo, through a variety of programs that the park offers. From preschool classes in early childhood development, to youth classes in a variety of sports, as well as adult classes in aerobics, self-defense and yoga, Verdugo Park offers a variety of recreation options under Depalo's watchful eye.
Although his work keeps Depalo busy, it is this time of the year that much of his free time is focused on running. With the L.A. Marathon taking place in a few weeks and other marathons going on around the nation, Depalo logs a lot of long miles.
Some of his greatest moments in running have occurred in running have occurred in Boston, where he has participated in the Boston Marathon three times in 1986, 1996 and last year.
"It was a privilege to run in the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996 with the great tradition that surrounds it and the great runners who have won that event, "Depalo said. "I love the travel aspect of going to Boston and the ceremony surrounding one of the greatest marathons in the world."
But as the L.A. Marathon draws near, Depalo admits his mileage of about 60 miles a week is not what he would like it to be, even though a runner of his experience can probably get through the race in about three hours.
His credo is to train fast to run fast, and that philosophy worked perfectly in San Diego in 1988 when he ran his best time of 2 hours 44 minutes. His best time in Los Angeles came in 1990 when he ran 2:47.
When it is all said and done on the morning of Sunday, March 4, Depalo will undoubtedly be left with a sense of accomplishment after the race with another medal around his neck and enough memories to keep him going for years to come.
And if anyone needs a little inspiration on how to become physically fit, just look up Mickey Depalo almost any morning in Burbank, he'll be the one with the even pace and the smile on his face.