The Miami Beach Patrol lifeguards have always been an important part of the Raven run. This is not just because they exist while I run daily, but more the point that during the worst weather and in the past, the lifeguards and I  were practically the only active life on South Beach!

The relationship also serves as kind of a neighborhood watch program where as the running group keeps and eye out for suspicious activity that may possibly threaten beach goers. Currently, the Lifeguard with the most runs is Zane Hobbs "Giggler". His routine is that he will do 1 run and swim every year and sometime between now and December 31st, he will get in his #15. The former lifeguard with the most runs is Julio Alvarez "Barnacle", although he didn't work on the beach patrol long, he is a semi regular runner and in 17 years has 113 runs and 64 swims.

Other former lifeguards of interest are Len Gambla "Renaissance Man" whose name tells it all as he has 5 members of his family on the list and counting. His latest adventure has him in the Congo. A.J. Anderson "Investigator" worked on the beach patrol in the 60's & 70's before becoming the fire inspector for the city of Miami Beach. The best runner may have been Eric Sommers "Endless Summer"; he was later a running back in the arena football league. Tim McKee "King of the Clevelander", another great athlete, has 3 silver medals from the 72 & 76 Olympics.

Every lifeguard who completes an 8 mile run gets a special notation in their file and if a possible promotion is in order, having a "Raven Run" may give them the edge they need, just ask Operation Supervisor Hank Oppenborne, "Eggplant Man". It should also be noted that the all time lifeguard with the most runs and Hall of Fame Runner is Gregory Wolfe "LT Wolfman" with 155 runs and 153 swims

from Ft Lauderdale, but we won't hold that against him. Bubba Tongay, who has recently retired after 34 years, was the only guard working before my streak. To date, I have seen all the men and women from the beginning of their careers and can only be blessed with making more retirement parties in the future while doing the Raven Run. - Raven