Local attorney and retired judge completes remarkable 270th race at 2023 KC Marathon
Steve Fuller was operating on three hours of sleep. The North Kansas City native had just returned from a recent overseas trip.
Fuller, 75, is known to enjoy marathons. In fact, he has run one in all 50 states and several countries. Recently, he and his wife Henna, even traversed the Middle East and competed in races along the way.
But Saturday represented a milestone: Fuller ran his 270th career marathon in a city he adores.
And he wasn’t going to let a lack of sleep or jet lag prevent him from participating.
“I think this is my 45th year doing marathons,” he said. “I started right here in Kansas City in the first marathon they had here in 1979. I pretty much run the local marathon every year.”
Fuller participated in the 26.2-mile Garmin Kansas City Marathon that concluded near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. He crossed the finish line with a giant smile as he received a medal of completion.
It wasn’t an easy race.
Fuller said the terrain was tough and hilly around the UMKC campus and over to Troost Avenue. But he was able to navigate the course in strong fashion.
“It’s just part of it,” he said.
So how does Fuller stay in shape? He said it’s all about remaining flexible both physically and mentally.
“I just keep in shape and keep my weight low,” he said of his training techniques. “My wife owns a yoga studio, so I do some yoga that keeps me kind of flexible.”
When he’s not running marathons, Fuller’s working as a lawyer and a North Kansas City municipal court judge.
“It makes you real humble,” Fuller said. “I have been a judge in North Kansas City for 30 years. I just retired from that, but my law practice keeps me real busy.”
Fuller joined thousands of fellow runners and walkers for the KC Marathon. A pair of local former college athletes won the men’s and women’s marquee events.
Next week, Fuller will head to New Mexico for another event. He said he has been to more than 195 countries to run marathons.
On Saturday, he cherished another chance to run in the Kansas City Marathon. He’s currently in the process of running a second marathon in every state.
But he considers the opportunity to cross another finish line here, where it all began, a true accomplishment.
“It’s just the validation for the work you do,” he said.
