Hawthorn Woods dentist promotes healthy living

While running the 26.2 miles of a standard marathon is no small accomplishment, it’s apparently not enough to satisfy Hawthorn Woods dentist Dr. John Edgar.

Edgar, who owns Hawthorn Woods Family Dental, recently finished the Ice Age 50 Mile ultramarathon, held yearly in La Grange, Wis.

It was his sixth time running the ultramarathon and would have been his wife, Gail Edgar’s, 20th consecutive year had it not been for a hip injury in the 18th mile.

“My wife had run it 19 times previously, and would have had the women’s record for the 20th consecutive 50-mile run,” the 58-year-old Edgar said. “We run marathons together, but she’s really the star.”

Edgar’s own finishing record in the 50-mile wasn’t half bad. With 10 hours and 42 minutes, he placed directly in the middle of all the runners in the race.

No stranger to marathon running, Edgar has run around 50 to 60 marathons and ultramarathons throughout the U.S. and the world, including France.

However, this love of running is not new.

Edgar, who ran cross country in high school, followed by triathlons and marathons, belonged to the Alpine Runners Club and had been training for marathons when he discovered Hawthorn Woods.

He moved his dental practice to the village in September 2007 from Park Ridge.

Now living in Kildeer, Edgar is very involved in the area, particularly in promoting running.

As the sponsor for the Hawthorn Woods Half Marathon, Hawthorn Woods 5K/10K, and the Bat Cave 8K, among others, Edgar advocates for a healthy lifestyle.

“I see people around me getting more involved and enjoying it,” he said. “I’m 58 and have never stopped running.”