There can be few more examples of sustained stress than running for President of the United States. There has been a growing awareness among candidates and incumbent presidents that regular physical activity can help them survive travel, decision making and stress that comes with the job.
In the current race, George W. at 6 ft. 0 in. and 190 lbs has a personal best marathon time of 3 hrs 44.52 mins in Houston 1993. He tries to live a physical life in Crawford, where he cycles and indulges in epic sessions of brush clearing.
John Kerry, at 6 ft 4 in and a trim 180 lbs (BMI 21.9) ran an unrecorded Boston Marathon in the 70's and did a brisk 7 mile run in Falmouth 1994 in 1 hr 50 seconds. He has been much photographed in outdoor activities such as cycling, snowboarding, windsurfing, golf and ice hockey. He would probably enjoy an epic session of Bush clearing.
John Edwards is a self-confessed 'addicted' runner with a personal best marathon of 3 hrs 30.18 mins (Marine Corps Marathon 1983). He's slowed down in recent years but completed another marathon in 1999 and still has the ability to outrun his secret service bodyguards.
Little information could be found on Dick Cheney, who seems to content himself by running for office.
Only a tiny percentage of the population of the USA has ever run a marathon. It's interesting that 3 of the 4 candidates for President and Vice President are marathon men.
If you haven't seen the legendary jibjab.com parody of Kerry and Bush singing "This Land is Your Land" click here for a bipartisan laugh.
