With budget cuts threatening art and music programs across Florida public schools and universities, one Altamonte Springs parent ran 100 miles to support the arts.
Steve Wheeler, 53, completed a non-stop, 28-hour ultramarathon from Orlando to Gainesville on Saturday afternoon to raise awareness about cuts by the Florida Legislature and its effect on the future of art programs in schools.
“He thinks it’s crucial that they don’t cut these classes because they will benefit someone in the future,” said Leslie Wheeler, Wheeler’s 22-year-old daughter and a UF alumna. “He doesn’t want art to be eliminated from schools and not give kids a chance to explore their creative side.”
Wheeler’s “Art to Architecture” ultramarathon reflected how his daughter’s art education during elementary, middle and high school helped her graduate summa cum laude from UF’s architecture program on May 5. She will pursue a master’s degree in architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.
“My daughter was blessed with really great teachers who helped her get through the architecture school and graduate,” Steve Wheeler said.
His run began at 9 a.m. Friday in Altamonte Springs, stopping at Spring Lake Elementary, Teague Middle School and Lake Brantley High School, where his daughter attended school.
He also stopped at Bear Lake Elementary where his two sons, Price, 6, and Lance, 10, are enrolled.
By 10:30 a.m., Steve Wheeler was on State Road 441 running to Gainesville as his daughter drove a car that followed him during the run.
Steve Wheeler started running ultramarathons in his 40s, each race ranging from 50 to 100 miles.
In 2010, he ran his first 100-mile race during the Western States Endurance Run in California.
He said he has completed six other 100-mile ultramarathons, including the 2011 Iron Horse Endurance Runs in Florahome.
To train for long-distance running, Wheeler runs about 20 to 30 miles several times a week through trails at the Wekiwa Springs State Park near his house in Altamonte Springs. He sometimes runs up to 70 miles in a session to build endurance.
During runs that could last several hours, Wheeler said he keeps his mind busy to maintain focus. He also said running helps him stay calm.
“I’m in real estate, and it’s stressful,” he said. “So going out and running is a great stress reliever.”
As her father battled fatigue, dehydration and the north Florida heat Friday afternoon, Leslie Wheeler made sure to have aid supplies ready.
She said throughout the ultramarathon, she stopped every two miles to give her father food and water to replenish his energy. Later in the run, her father was drinking a bottle of water per mile.
During the night, Wheeler ran past The Villages, Belleview and Ocala.
At around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the Wheelers approached the 90-mile mark at Paynes Prairie near McIntosh.
Smoke from brush fires covered the area, making breathing difficult for Steve Wheeler as he ran.
Leslie Wheeler drove her father 10 miles up the road until they escaped the smoke to continue the run.
At 2:30 p.m., after 28 hours and 100 miles of running, Wheeler arrived at UF near the architecture and fine arts buildings, symbolizing the end of his journey and his daughter’s undergraduate education.
Steve Wheeler’s run has drawn praise from UF faculty who support funding public school art programs.
“We in the art world are so grateful when someone individually decides to take up the banner,” said Margaret Mertz, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts.
Steve Wheeler said the Orlando-to-Gainesville run was his toughest challenge to date due to blistering heat, smoke and hilly terrain.
“You just have to keep telling yourself to keep going,” he said on Saturday.
Leslie Wheeler said she hopes her father’s run garners more support from families and students to help save art programs in schools.
The Wheelers said they are currently seeking donations for the Seminole County Public Schools and UF’s fine arts and architecture departments.
“It’s really important for a lot of people’s futures,” she said.
