Martin Engineering Dreams & Goals Achieved in 2024 Chicago Marathon

A team of six employees and family members from global bulk handling solutions provider, Martin Engineering, spent months of training and discipline to prepare for the 2024 Chicago Marathon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sparked by a close friendship that started in South Africa 24 years ago, the team turned aspiration into a worthy cause.

Highton and Selomo worked together at the South African branch of Martin Engineering in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. Having built a friendship running together, Jack suggested they entered the annual South African Comrades Marathon, a punishing Ultra-Marathon of approximately 88 kilometers (54.6 miles). To qualify, the pair needed to finish a marathon.

The two went on to train-for and complete-in a total of 9 marathons and 9 ultra-marathons together. Promotions moved Alan to the United States and Jack into a supervisory role in South Africa.

After Nogaj put out the call for participants to join Highton and Selomo, a few brave souls raised their hands, all of whom live in Illinois near the Neponset headquarters, including:

• Mark Huhn – Director of Flow Aids;
• Chris Schmelzer – Director of Conveyor Products & Wear Components;
• Andrew Timmerman – Global Engineering Manager – R&D; and
• Kali Nichols (wife of Martin Engineering’s Travel Specialist Nate Nichols).

Highton pointed out that marathon training can be lonely, but support and building the mental toughness to finish is an important part of the process. Connected by a running app, individuals set their own training schedule and encouraged each other.

The company plans to expand upon the goodwill of the 2024 Chicago Marathon.  Chairman of the Board, Edwin “Ed” Peterson invites Martin Engineering partners and customers to join in the 2025 marathon where the company will be hosting events and celebrating a good cause.

If your company has runners who wish to participate, reach out at www.martin-eng.com or talk to your Martin Engineering representative.