By Brent LaLonde

As a cross country and track star at Westerville North High School, Nathan Aichele never had the classic runner’s build, often carrying as much as 200 pounds on a 5-foot-11-inch frame.

But he repeatedly proved that, in track or cross country, size does not always matter. Aichele qualified several times for the state meet in both sports, and also had a successful four-year career in both at Denison University in Granville.

But, partially due to his size, Aichele has had mixed results competing in various road races since graduating from college. That all changed, though, when he discovered the 5K Pump and Run at the Arnold Sports Festival, the nation’s largest multi-sport festival.

Aichele, 27, finished second in the event at the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival, when he ran a 16-minute, 56-second 5-kilometer race after bench pressing his body weight the maximum 30 times (with each repetition taking 30 seconds off of his 5K time). His final time of 1:56 was just 13 seconds behind winner Matt Quinet of West Virginia.

“I was very happy with my performance, but I think I can do better this year. I ran faster than that when I was a freshman in high school,” Aichele says. “I think I should be able to run closer to 5-minute miles and cut about a minute off of my time, but a lot of that will depend on how much training I get.”

Unlike many Pump and Run competitors who log hundreds of miles and hours in the gym to prepare for the race, Aichele focuses his training on losing weight, which allows him to run faster and achieve his bench-press goal.

But getting to the gym is no easy task these days for Aichele, a legislative aide to Ohio Senator Keith Faber.

“It can be difficult, because sometimes a day at work can turn into an all-night affair,” Aichele says. “I can go sometimes two weeks without getting in a workout, but I do what I can at lunch or before or after work. There is a gym right next door, so I really don’t have any excuses.”

Aichele is the latest athlete with Westerville connections to excel in the Pump and Run. Westerville resident Damien Brandon won the event in 2007, and 35 Westerville residents will compete in the 2009 5K Pump and Run. This event will be held March 8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center as part of the three-day Arnold festival.

The 5K Pump and Run will feature a sold-out field of 750 athletes, all who signed up within three days of registration opening in November. Spots are still available in a companion 5-kilometer road race.

“The (Arnold Sports Festival) has some really good programs and I always have a great time, besides just competing in the race,” Aichele says. “It is always fun to see all of the competitors in the other events, too.”

The Arnold Sports Festival is March 6-8 at various venues throughout Columbus. For more information, visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

Brent LaLonde is a contributing writer for Westerville Magazine.