The Daily O’Collegian

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During an IdeaRaiser session at OSU, David Porter, professor and department head of OSU plant and soil sciences, offered “Oklahoma Land Run Marathon,” which was picked for a “100 Ideas” compilation. The idea, picked 83rd, emphasizes the lead for more health in Oklahoma.

OSU professor suggests a state improvement, gets spot in ‘100 Ideas’ book

An OSU professor’s vision for an event unique to Oklahoma was chosen out of more than 1,000 that were submitted as one of 100 that could move the state into the second century.

David Porter, professor and department head of OSU plant and soil sciences, gave an idea for an “Oklahoma Land Run Marathon,” which was included in the book “100 Ideas; Innovation for the Second Century,” which credits “The People of Oklahoma” as its authors.

“The idea behind the Oklahoma Land Run Marathon was to draw attention to the growing problem of obesity — child and adult — in Oklahoma and offer one solution to reverse this deadly trend by emphasizing the need to increase physical activity,” Porter said. “What better way to increase physical activity than through running? It does not require any special equipment — just good running shoes — and a willingness to participate.”

Porter said he proposed his idea on the OSU campus during one of the more than 60 “IdeaRaisers” that were held throughout Oklahoma.

Porter said he believes his idea has the potential to become an internationally recognized marathon that could rival other well-known marathons, such as the marathons held in Boston or New York, for media coverage.

“Given this type of attention, Oklahomans could then benefit through obesity awareness and educational campaigns sponsored by marathon financial supporters and promoters,” Porter said.

Porter’s is the 83rd idea listed in the book, which can be found online at http://www.100ideasok.org/100IdeasBook.aspx.

According to the entry, Oklahoma should encourage more events like the Oklahoma City Marathon. As a positive emphasis on the state’s pioneer spirit, concerned organizations should join together to coordinate “The Oklahoma Land Run Marathon,” an event that will place a major emphasis on health and childhood obesity problems in the state, according to the book.

Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, started the “100 Ideas Initiative.”

Cargill said the book is about Oklahoma’s spirit and the passion Oklahomans have for the state.

The book is also about fellow citizens using their creative and innovative thinking to identify both opportunity in and solutions for the challenges we face together as a state, Cargill said.

“Most importantly, this book is about Oklahomans having a voice,” he said. “It is easy for our fellow citizens to get lost in the shuffle at the capitol. The ‘100 Ideas’ concept is to open the democratic process up a little more and allow the heart of the state, its people, more of a seat at the table.”

Cargill said an executive committee of individuals with varying professional backgrounds reviewed the thousands of idea submissions and selected the top 100.

Cargill said he remembers all of the ideas, including Porter’s, that were submitted because he found them to be inspiring.

“What is important about Mr. Porter’s idea is that he embodies the spirit of Oklahoma that we experienced throughout this process,” Cargill said. “It’s not the idea to have a marathon that is important, but the passion to have Oklahoma’s marathon compete on an international level as well as the creativity to have this event highlight our state’s history that is so powerful.”

Cargill said he is not going to let his resignation from state Speaker of the House shift his focus away from moving Oklahoma into the second century.

He said he has been blessed with the opportunity to work toward that goal from many positions. Cargill said what the process has taught him is one does not have to be a high-ranking elected official to have a good idea, to take someone else’s goal and help them realize its potential or to contribute ones talents to move the state forward.

“Whether it is as an elected official, in the legal profession, at church with my family or over coffee with a colleague, I will continue to stress the importance of sharing our ideas and finding a way to make them into reality, and I hope my fellow Oklahomans do as well,” Cargill said.

Porter said he thinks the future of Oklahoma looks fantastic, and it is certainly in good hands.

“If we can implement some of the ideas put forth in the ‘100 Ideas’ book, along with the thousands of other great ideas out there, then the next 100 years for Oklahoma will truly outshine our first 100 years,” Porter said.