FANS Ultramarathon’s Bob Frawley created a running event that endures

When he couldn’t make it to the Western States, California’s prestigious 100-mile trail race, Bob Frawley decided it was time to create his own ultramarathon.

Much like Frawley, however, the event was not entirely a selfish endeavor. He wanted the passion project to also help inner-city children.

Born is the FANS Ultra Race in the Metro which, 35 years later, has inspired some of the best ultramarathoners on the planet while helping hundreds of young people pursue their academic dreams.

Inspiration is among the feelings this week as members of the FANS running community mourn the unexpected death of 67-year-old Frawley. He died while running on a trail “that he had run a hundred times,” according to a Facebook post from family members. He lived in Minneapolis and was a regular at the Chain of Lakes loops. (His family could not be reached for comment). Services for Frawley will be held July 20 at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis.

Among the social media outpourings for Frawley and his family are poignant reminders of his servant’s heart and mentorship while serving as director of the Brian Coyle Community Center in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and the Waite House in the Phillips neighborhood. Both are extensions of the reach of the nonprofit Pillsbury United Communities, which FANS races supports. FANS stands for “Furthering Achievement through a Network of Support”.

“He was a gifted runner, as well as a race director,” said Bruce Brothers, a former running journalist and columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “All his energies were devoted to doing something for the community.”

Brothers was also a runner with FANS, which started as a 24-hour race in 1990 and, as it grew, added 12-hour and six-hour events. While starting at Lake Harriet, the FANS moved to different locations such as Lake Nokomis and Fort Snelling State Park. Frawley was a fixture, according to his friends, even after he resigned as director. This year’s event took place June 1, with loops around Lake Normandale in Bloomington. Frawley ran the 12-hour race, accumulating 48.17 miles. He was also a regular in the 50-mile Voyageur Trail Ultra (Carlton to Duluth and back), with plans to run his 30th on July 27.

Sue Olsen of Pine River and Danny Ripka of Minneapolis were with Frawley in early June, like so many Junes before. Pre-race dinners and post-race breakfasts were a tradition. Both have run – and won – several 24-hour races. Ripka’s last victory dates back to 2004 (127 miles). Olsen ran 130.8 miles in 1994, a record that stood for 22 years.

“What a wonderful person,” Olsen said. “I’m still in shock.”

“Bob was just a wonderful soul,” Ripka said.

The runner who has eclipsed Olsen’s big mark is Courtney Dauwalter, who broke her in 2016 with 135.7 miles. Today, Dauwalter, who grew up in Hopkins and now lives in Colorado, is one of the best ultramarathoners in the world and has dominated the Western states in 2023.

Ultrarunner Harvey Lewis, of Cincinnati, is also a FANS alum and paid tribute to Frawley on Facebook: “He was a true gem of a human being. There’s a very good chance I never would have had the introduction to ultras that has so influenced many areas of my life, from teaching to meeting my wife, sans Bob.

Lewis last led FANS in 2022. Last year, he won the Big Backyard Ultra, the world championship for “backyard ultras.” Similar to FANS, a garden ultra does not have a set length. In Tennessee, runners completed a 4,167-mile loop every hour, until only one person remained. It was Lewis, who completed 108 loops – or about 450 miles – in four and a half days of racing, aka Big’s.

Olsen, who joined FANS during his sophomore year, said Frawley and his idea were ahead of their time. “In the beginning, you didn’t find many 24-hour races,” she said.

Paul and Pat Sackett, who took over FANS in 2003 and ran it until 2018, also mourned their friend. Paul said the event built a reputation that spread and attracted internationally. About half of the participants were from out of town.

“Many ‘famous’ people in the ultrarunning community were leading the FANS,” he said in an email. “It’s a flat and fast course, which is a good place to try your first ultra and a place to rack up a high mileage total.”

Current co-race director David Shannon now relishes what he learned about Frawley’s “brainchild,” including time spent on the trails together last year when they both participated in the Lean Horse Ultra in the Black Hills. Shannon ran the 100 miles, Frawley the 50, and they overlapped.

“I didn’t realize how special this moment would be,” Shannon said. “Bob was running hard.”

Shannon said FANS has momentum in its 36th year. Participation increased this year, as did sponsorships. That means more money will go toward scholarships for young people — part of Frawley’s mission.

“He touched a lot of people in and outside of running,” Shannon said.