“For as long as I can remember, Sam, Amy, and I have been siblings,” Todd Levine recalls.  Though many in the family are quick to accuse Todd of incessant exaggeration, this claim has in fact been confirmed after allegations that Amy Levine was picked up at a “baby-exchange” event in the Bayside public library were proven false.

A lesser-known fact, Sam, Amy, and Todd have been runners for almost as long as they have been siblings.  At two years old, Sam already displayed perfect form as she sprinted to her parents to boast of how she’s “a big girl” because she consumed an entire bottle of Tylenol all by herself.  Needless to say, Sam did not receive the proud response she was anticipating but, after Sam was discharged from the hospital, both parents conceded that they were impressed with their daughter’s speed.  Likewise, Amy demonstrated her running prowess at an early age.  Each day after kindergarten, Amy would dash to Todd’s stroller, kick him off of it, and enjoy a nice cool-down on wheels.  And finally, Todd too demonstrated an affinity for running early on.  The family vividly recalls when one of Todd’s parents unknowingly continued to raise the window while his head was still sticking out of the car, and the speed with which he jumped out of the car once the pressure was released from his neck.

Indeed, one need not be a psychic to foresee a day when Sam, Amy, and Todd would, together, take on the ultimate feat for runners: the marathon.  And this year, on October 9, in the great city of Chicago, that day will come.  This will not be the first time a member of the family has run a marathon, as Sam now has quite a few under her belt.  But this day nevertheless will be a momentous one, as it is the first one that Sam, Amy, and Todd will run the marathon together.  The venue is no coincidence either.  The three siblings each hold a special place in their heart for Chicago, the city where they spent their college years.

Sam, Amy, and Todd lament that their other two siblings, Shadow and Noa, will not be running the marathon with them.  However, they eagerly await Noa joining the team in the years to come.  And as for Shadow…well, there’s still hope!

But enough about the future!  The 2011 Chicago marathon is now but a few months away.  The training has been tough, and it will get tougher.  We hope that whether or not you’ll be there to cheer for us in Chicago on October 9, you’ll check up on how we’re doing by visiting this blog.  We’ll see you at the finish line!