Donald Schepers: Running for a cause

There’s something liberating in the way Donald Schepers runs.

The 24-year-old Celestine man doesn’t track anything but his finish times. No splits, no average paces, he doesn’t even have a watch on his wrist. Donald just runs.

Anyone witnessing him at a finish line understands he runs with all of his heart. Pushing through, he gives everything he has when the finish line comes into sight.

His convictions are apparent on his face as well as through several tattoos he has added over the years. The most recent is the logo for St. Jude Children’s Hospital; it represents a cause he took up this year.

On April 29, Donald will run in the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. He’ll complete the 26.2-mile run with the goal of raising $5,000 for the hospital.

For the man who began running in middle school at Northeast Dubois, the connection to the hospital is an easy extension from a similar facility he personally experienced. Donald’s mother died when he was 10 and a few years later, Donald had a nervous breakdown requiring help from Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Through Riley, he was connected with another facility that helped him recover.

His mother’s death still drives him though. “That’s why I run a lot,” Donald said. “For my mom.”

In high school, he ran cross country and competed in the 800, mile and relays during track season. Since then, he has continued to rack up miles running in local 5ks, 10ks as well as a couple marathons. He regularly runs along Jasper’s Riverwalk and out in the hills around Celestine. 20 miles on Sunday, eight miles on Monday, each day a run and three days a week he works out at B&B Fitness to strengthen his legs and chest.

It’s all about running.

Unlike many runners, you won’t see Donald pounding the pavement with earbuds in. “I like seeing the people while I run,” he explained. “I wave and say hi and like seeing the smiles. It makes my heart feel good.”

He wants to qualify for the Boston Marathon and eventually, run a marathon in every state.

For now, he is concentrating on raising the money for St. Jude. “When the ball dropped on New Year’s, I made the resolution that I was going to raise $5,000,” he said.

So far, he’s raise a bit over a $1,000 through local supporters like Uebelhor and Sons, Ackerman Oil, Jasper Engines and other residents. Anyone interested in helping him reach his goal can donate by sending checks made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to 8383 East Ellsworth Road, Celestine, Ind. 42521.

Along with seeking donations, Schepers is hosting events like a recent car wash he held.

Around this rigorous training for the upcoming marathon, Donald works at Home Depot in Jasper collecting carts and assisting in the lumberyard. He enjoys being outside and he sees pushing the carts as another way to strengthen his legs.

It’s all about running.