Man celebrates birthday with 24-hour treadmill run

[February 04, 2009]  BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) -- A Twin Cities man was looking for a challenge, so he decided to celebrate his 30th birthday by running on a treadmill for 24 hours straight. B.J. Van Beusekom covered about 80 miles before he stopped running at noon Tuesday. He promptly went to the nearest chair and rested his obviously stiff legs.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Van Beusekom took breaks only to use the restroom and change clothes.

He accomplished his feat at Athletic Performance Inc., a training center in Brooklyn Center. To keep him motivated, API provided a dance with a disc jockey, a slumber party and a big screen television.

For the rest of his birthday, Van Beusekom says he just wants a nap and a massage.

Van Beusekom's effort also raised just over $3,000 for the American Lung Association.

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Athletic Performance Inc.: http://www.athleticperformanceinc.biz/

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com/

[Associated Press]

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