Meet Stuart

Meet Legacy Runner: Stuart Kolb

From the Shop Class to the Finish Line

Stuart’s journey into the world of long-distance running didn’t start in high school or college. Instead, it began with his first professional role as a high school industrial arts teacher in Barneville, Wisconsin, back in 1984.

“They needed a track coach, so I got involved and started running for fun!” Stuart recalls.

By age 24, he was tracking his progress, eventually leading to a lifetime of over 100 marathons. His 100th race was a particularly special one, falling exactly on his birthday during the Boston Marathon’s anniversary in 2018.

The Fox Cities Difference

Having run iconic courses like the Boston and Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Stuart has a unique perspective on what makes the Fox Cities Marathon so special. For him, it’s about the variety of the course layout and community connection:

• Scenic Variety: He appreciates the mix of residential areas, country roads, and trails along the water.
• Physical Comfort: Stuart notes that the asphalt trails used in our course are often more forgiving on a runner’s joints than concrete.
• Community Spirit: The support through the seven communities, from creative signs to kids seeking high-fives, provides a “small-town feel” that fuels runners through the miles.

A Legacy of Continuous Improvement

A self-described “plant guy” who spent 37 years at KI in Green Bay, Stuart applied the professional principle of continuous improvement to his running. In the early years, he was highly self-driven, setting his personal record of 2:43 during the very first Fox Cities Marathon in 1991.

As he has aged, his goals have shifted from racing the clock to maintaining his streak and enjoying the camaraderie. He now enjoys running with pace groups and sharing the tradition with his family. His son, Ben, and daughter are both avid runners, and his wife remains his number one supporter, having attended nearly every race.

Looking Toward the Future

Now retired, Stuart spends more time in his woodshop building furniture at his retirement home in Ephraim, but his commitment to the 1000 Mile Club remains firm. His mantra is simple: “You start something, you finish it.”

As long as the weather stays clear and the cancellations stay at bay, Stuart plans to keep crossing the FCM finish line. His speed may change but his passion is still there.

“They needed a track coach, so I got involved and started running for fun!” – Stuart

Legacy Runner Club

It began in 1991 with the very first Fox Cities Marathon. No one was thinking about legacies—they were simply showing up, lacing up, and having fun.

But year after year, mile after mile, something remarkable happened.

A small group of dedicated runners never missed the start line. Through changing seasons, life milestones, and decades of memories, they kept coming back. Today, they are known as Legacy Runners—a living connection to the heart and history of the race.

Meet:

• Mike
• Fred
• Jeff
• Dr. Anne