Born: October 17, 1923

Hometown: Anniston

Marital Status: Married

In the beginning

  Born and raised in Tuscaloosa county to parents J.T. and Emily Smallwood, Wilburn grew to become a strong, yet humble, man.  During his youth, Wilburn took no interest in running but rather focused his energy on becoming a great basketball player.  It wasn't until he joined the U.S. Army in 1943 that Wilburn was formally introduced to our beloved sport.  However, it was called double-timing then and was never combined in the same sentence with the word "love"! 

  After his faithful tour of duty, Wilburn chose to enter trade school in Gadsden and try his hand at electrical work.  After receiving his diploma, he spent the next few years working on different jobs with contractors.  In 1953 he moved to Anniston and began working for the Anniston Army Depot.  It was during this time that he began to settle down and begin his family.

  Wilburn and Wyndall Bobo have two sons and one daughter - Woody (the oldest), Bobo, and daughter Carolyn.  They have 6 grandchildren - Amanda, Ashley (Woody's kids), Shay, Josh, Sally (Bobo's kids), and Hank (Carolyn's only).  They have also been blessed with 3 wonderful great grandchildren!     

  Aside from working and raising a family, Wilburn began to start exploring the great outdoors with friends.  He began meeting on the weekend and enjoying a little sport and fellowship.  However, it was still not running that he was interested in - it was hunting!  Yes, Wilburn loved to hunt and fish!  It wasn't until much later that the idea of running for recreation entered his mind....

Twenty questions

  Most of the experienced and accomplished runners you will meet will have two things in common:  a love for the sport and the desire to push harder.  Wilburn has them both.  In a recent question/answer interview, our January spotlight runner "spills his guts".

How long have you been running?

  I guess it has been around 25 years.  I began by running at the Golden Springs Community Center in order to get in better shape.  Over the next few months I began to meet runners like Nancy Grace, Pam Yother and Jerry Christian.  These runners were always doing something together and I just tried to join in the fun.  I was never fast enough to run with them, just around them.  But, I enjoyed it.

What was your first race?

  The Gadsden Spring 5K.  I will remember it because I won a trophy on my very first race.

What is your favorite race?

  I really just like them all.  My favorite runs have been the ones the club has done on Woodstock and at Ft. McClellan.  Those are the one I remember best.

Are there any races, records, or accomplishments that you are especially proud of?

  I once ran a 10k in Alexander City and won my age group.  Immediately after that 10K they had a 3 mile event.  I won my age group in that one too!  The only record is that I have won a trophy in every race I have ever competed in. 

It is obvious you like competition.  Here is a tough question:  Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I love to win.

What are your PR's?

1 mile - 7 minutes

5K - right at 23 minutes

10K - about 48 minutes

Half Marathon - 2 hours

Marathon - I have never run the marathon distance

What is the longest distance you have ever run?

  A half marathon is the longest I guess I have ever run at one time.

What other experiences have you had with road racing outside of running?

  Well, I was the President in 2005.  Besides that, I have stored and maintained the club's race clock for a number of years.  Harry Setser and I have worked the clock for lots of races.

Do you have a favorite road race t-shirt?

  No, not really.

What types of running injuries have you sustained?

  None, except for occasional soreness.

What is your typical weekly training or exercise regimen?

  I run 3 times a week for about an hour each time.  I would guess around 9 or 10 miles a week.  It is more if there is a race on the weekend.

What is your favorite running music?

  I don't listen to music when I run.  My favorite music is Country or Orchestral.

What is your favorite food?

  I like fish and steak.

What is your favorite pre or post-race food?

  Anything.

What is your favorite movie?

  I don't have one.  I like action movies though.

If you could turn back the years, is there anything that you would like to change or do again?

  I would get more or, at least, a better education.  I would have liked to have been paid more.

Do you like to travel?

  Yes.  My favorite trip was a trip to Maine in which we continued traveling into Canada and back around to the Niagra Falls.  I have also been around the United States through TDY training conferences.

If you were to win a 10 million dollar lottery, what would you do with it?

I would give a lot of it to my church, friends and family.  I would do a lot more traveling and try to just live off the interest.

Do you have any hobbies other than running?

I like to work on electrical devices like our race clock. 

What tomorrow brings

We bid farewell to our January spotlight runner with two final questions:

What are your future running goals?

Just stay healthy and run it on out.

Do you have any advice for beginning runners?

"Take it easy and don't start too fast."  "Remember all those people in front of you are trying to get to the same place."

written by John Moore