A 79-year-old's road to 20
Barb Klippel overcomes much en route to milestone Birkie finish line
I can think of one piece of legislation to present to the Wisconsin Legislature that would get 100 percent bipartisan support and the governor's signature: A bill making it a felony not to like Hayward's Barb Klippel from the moment a person first meets her.
Writing about other people in this column for Silent Sports has been one of my greatest pleasures. Barb heads that list. In 2008, I wrote about her being the oldest woman to complete the American Birkebeiner. Now my family's Christmas cards adorn her refrigerator along with those from countless friends and family.
My last column about her left her with having finished 19 Birkies. It took her until the 2012 race to complete her 20th. Barb traveled a long, winding and often dangerous road to accomplish that.
The full story appears in the May 2012 issue of Silent Sports. Don't miss an issue! Subscribe online here.