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Life usually starts slowing down a bit around the age of 60. But not for one man. He's speeding up. And he's hoping you'll help him on his way.
After 24 years as a Wichita police officer, Mark Jackson is used to putting on a uniform every day for work. But this year it looks a little different.
"I wanted to celebrate my 60th year on earth in a way different than most people do," said Jackson. "I've committed to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society."
Jackson started participating in the Society's Team In Training endurance events four years ago.
"I kept meeting more and more people that were affected by blood cancer," he said. "And several of those people are not with us anymore."
So this year he's taking his committment a step further.
"In San Antonio," he lists, "a half marathon."
"Then Austin, Texas," he adds, "The Capital of Texas Triathlon."
"I'm going to Las Vegas, Nevada, and doing a 122 mile bike ride. And just three weeks later, my first full marathon right here in Wichita."
"I just thought this year maybe I could press myself a little further," Jackson explains.
It doesn't matter if it's sunny and nice out, or too hot, too cold, or just plain nasty. You can find Jackson out on the city streets of Andover, where he lives, training to fight cancer.
"I spend anywhere from 12 to 15 hours a week, you know, exercising," he said.
But no matter how much he runs, bikes, and swims, he needs your help to finish.
"After you've been doing this for several years, your friends are running for the hills when they see you coming 'cause they know you're going to collect money from them," he said.
And while Jackson doesn't mind a good run, he's got a different plan for this year.
"I'm working on giving cancer a good kick, right in the tail, and I'm screaming about turning 60."
Jackson will be running his first event this weekend. It's the half marathon in San Antonio.