Print edition: 
His times are beginning to rise and the aches have become more frequent, but still, Paul Shimon runs.
He runs in pursuit not of accomplishments; rather, a feeling. It's the reason the 64-year-old Wichita native keeps coming back for more.
"The runner's high," Shimon said. "All of a sudden everything clicks. Your mind and your body are focused. It doesn't hurt to run. Everything just flows, it's like you're part of the river. You feel like you can run forever."
Shimon nearly has.
He is proud of his title as the only person to run in every Wichita marathon, all 31. This Sunday he will run in No. 32, still as motivated as ever to complete the 26.2 miles now known as the Prairie Fire Marathon.
"It's addictive," Shimon said. "You always think, 'Well, maybe this time I will feel it.' Sometimes it doesn't happen. But when it does, everything is just effortless."
It's a testament to Shimon's training, and to his luck, to have been able to attend every race. It was lucky when in college at Texas A&M, his coaches allowed him to continue the streak. But is has been Shimon's grit that has allowed him to run in the last few, fighting off the pain of plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot.
Running has taught him a lot about life, and that includes to never give up on something. Shimon even quotes the Kansas state motto, Ad astra per Aspera — "To the stars through difficulties."
"You can learn a lot about life from running," Shimon said. "Dedication, training, diligence. It all translates, if you think about it. If you work hard and learn how to do your job well, you will succeed."
Marathons have always been a part of Shimon's life. He has run in 125, which also features another streak — 31 straight years running in the Dallas Marathon.
Shimon never set out to become the only person to run in every Wichita marathon. Shimon never saw a reason not to run in his hometown. He also credits race director Clark Ensz.
"As long as Clark is putting on the race, I'll run in it," Shimon said. "But it's a nice honor to have. It's kind of an identity. People know me as the guy who has run in every Wichita marathon and some people respect that. It makes you feel good to have done something like that."
Running in the same race year after year might sound monotonous, but Shimon can still differentiate between every year. He can recount every race because he dedicates each one to someone dear to him. This year he is running in honor of Mickey Sullivan, a fellow marathon runner from Arkansas City who died.
Shimon wants to crack 4 hours for him, which considering his injury, would be an impressive feat. When asked which was more rewarding, running races in his prime or still completing them to this day, Shimon was certain.
"There's no comparison at all," he said. "Running a fast time and running well is much nicer than just trying to survive a race."
So why keep running? Why continue with the injuries?
Again, the answer was simple for Shimon.
"Just maybe," he said, "just maybe I'll feel that feeling one more time. That's why runners run. We all want to experience that high one more time."
