Sheehans to do some family footwork at Grandma's Marathon

The family that runs together stays together.

That's true, at least, for the Sheehan family, which will have 10 members from three generations and three cities running in races during Grandma's Marathon weekend, starting Friday.

Their expectations range from Mike Sheehan of Wausau, Wis., hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon, to sister-in-law Angie Sheehan of Duluth, participating in the William A. Irvin 5-kilometer run because she likes to run with her four nieces.

All agree running is something they enjoy doing together.

"I think it's something special," said Rich Sheehan, running Grandma's Marathon with his brother, Mike. "We're a tight family and to have another thing we can share, it means a lot to me."

"It's kind of exciting to watch," said Mike Sheehan, Rich and Mike's father. "The grandchildren are beating me now, so it's kind of tough. But it's always fun."

Here are the family members running this weekend:

Mike Sheehan, 64, Coon Rapids, William A. Irvin 5K: Mike started running 20 years ago. "Forty-four is when you start to gain weight. I decided to exercise so I could keep eating," he said. "Now it's catching up to me anyway."

Rich Sheehan, 37, Duluth, Grandma's Marathon: Rich began running in college and got serious about it again about three years ago, and is hoping this marathon will be better than last year's. "I'm excited about it," he said. "I'm hoping it's not as hot as it was last year, that's for sure."

Angie Sheehan, 28, Duluth, William A. Irvin 5K: This will be Angie's third Irvin race. "I like to run with my nieces -- then I don't have to go too fast," she laughed.

Zac Sheehan, 13, Duluth, William A. Irvin 5K: Zac started running when Rich picked it up again three years ago. Training gives the father and son a chance to spend more time together. "I get to see my family more often," he said.

Mike Sheehan, 40, Wausau, Wis., Grandma's Marathon: This is Mike's first Grandma's Marathon. He's proud of his family's love of running, but said they don't often train together. "Sometimes the kids run together around here or run with mom," he said. "I don't think we've ever run together, though. The different stride lengths would make it tough."

Kallie Sheehan, 38, Wausau, Wis., William A, Irvin 5K: Running with her daughters makes Kallie's maternal instincts kick in. "I'm worried they're going to get trampled at the start, is my biggest fear," she said. "I make them hold hands at the beginning."

Olivia Sheehan, 11, Wausau, Wis., William A. Irvin 5K: Olivia said she got into running because she enjoys it. "I like that it gives you good exercise," she said. "And you feel good once you're done with it."

Emelyn Sheehan, 10, Wausau, Wis., William A. Irvin 5K: Emelyn is happy if her sisters do well in a race -- but not always when they do better than she does. "Sometimes I'm happy for them, but sometimes I want to beat them," she said.

Alexa Sheehan, 9, Wausau, Wis., William A. Irvin 5K: Alexa has the reputation of being the fastest of her sisters. "I play a lot of soccer and that has a lot of running in it," she said of her training regimen. "And I race my friends around the house sometimes."

Ieden Sheehan, 8, Wausau, Wis., William A. Irvin 5K: Ieden ran the Irvin for the first time when she was just 6 years old. "I was running with my sisters and my mom, so I wasn't scared," she said. She stretches with her dad sometimes and runs with the family dog, Mades, to train.