MCALLEN REMEMBERS SCOTT CRANE

Tue, 2015-10-06 21:16 News Staff

MARATHON NAMED IN HIS HONOR

By G. Romero Wendorf

McALLEN – Kudos to the city of McAllen for renaming its annual marathon in memory of deceased former City Commissioner Scott Crane who sadly passed away last December at the relatively young age of 50 shortly after dropping out of the 26.2-mile race he helped create.

For those who knew him, it’s hard not to drive by his places of business on N. 10th, CarWash/CarWash, without thinking of him and how unfair life can often be. Crooks and thieves live to be 80-plus, while decent guys like Crane pass away way too young.

Politicians probably won’t appreciate this remark, but for a politician, Scott was one of the good guys. The real deal. You could tell he cared about the city in which he grew up, before and after he was elected to public office. He wasn’t just into politics for the selfpromotion that came with it. He was in it to make a change.

I know this doesn’t read like a news story. But I knew the guy, and I liked him. One reason being, I like humble people.

And for a guy with money, Crane never acted like the big shot. When I saw him interact with the guys who worked for him at his places of business – the guys who drove the beaters and struggled to make ends meet -- when I went there to get my truck washed, you could tell he considered himself no different from them, even though he grew up in a home of privilege and wealth. Which is probably why the guys, women too, who worked at CarWash/CarWash never seemed like slackers. He treated them right, and they repaid the favor with hard work. It’s a lesson in life too few understand – you give, and you usually get back double what you give.

So when the city’s marathon rolls around this December, it will be a mixture of sadness and joy. Sadness that such a good guy is no longer among the living. Happy that the city did something that will serve as a lasting memory of what he gave to this city – devotion as an elected official, and a good guy to those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

This year, the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Memorial Run takes place Dec. 13. It will include the full 26.2-mile marathon and the half—marathon. There’s also a relay marathon the same day.

The day prior, Dec. 12, a 5K is scheduled for either the young or the older runners whose knees have given out but not their desire to run and compete.

According to city information already released, approximately 3,000 runners are expected this year, up from approximately 1,900 last December

For more information, call the city at 681-3111 or visit the Crane Marathon website at: www.mcallenmarathon.com.