CBSSports.com deputy managing editor Craig Stanke was an avid runner whose leadership in sports journalism influenced many in the industry. One of his running jokes on his Facebook page was laughing at himself that race finish-line photos always seemed to catch him looking at his watch rather than at the lens. Runners in Chicago posed for this tribute photo before competing in Saturday's Craig Stanke Memorial APSE 5K. (Photo by Steph Langan/Indiana University)
By Paul Pfeifer
Naples (Fla.) Daily News
CHICAGO — Craig Stanke spent his journalism career inspiring and elevating the work of others.
Now APSE is hoping his memory can inspire people in the business to live a little bit healthier with the advent of the Craig Stanke Memorial 5K race.
Stanke's girlfriend, Amy Eisenstadt, flew in from Florida to participate in the event. She walked the skyscraper-lined lakeshore course with Washington Times sports editor Mike Harris.
"It is so meaningful to me and his family," Eisenstadt said. "Running was such a big part of his life. For these two things to come together, it's just awesome."
Stanke was deputy managing editor at CBSSports.com for the last 14 years, guiding the website in its formative stages as he did for countless fledgling writers and editors during his career, which also spanned newspapers across South Florida and Southern California.
Or, as longtime friend T.J. Simers quipped in the Los Angeles Times:
"He was a genius. A newspaper genius, and there aren't many of those anymore — newspapers or newspaper geniuses."
Stanke, a runner in high school, began running again two years ago. His last race was on Memorial Day, where he finished second in his age group in 22:41.
Stanke died that night in his sleep. The 56-year-old had a series of undiagnosed heart conditions. Now, Eisenstadt said, the hope is that the APSE 5K race will inspire people in the industry to focus more on their health.
"Hopefully something good can come of this," she said.
Saturday's race drew about 25 runners from the APSE and AWSM conferences. John Affleck of the Associated Press was the overall winner in 19:29, with ESPN's Kaitee Daley winning the women's race in 23:15.
"It's great to see so many people out," Affleck said "Everybody's trying to be healthy. Mixing our crazy lifestyle with a little exercise is a great thing.
"There is so much stress on us," he added. "You really need to have a little bit of life balance. Running is a great outlet, but it can be anything. It can be walking your dog, biking, swimming, whatever. You just have to get out. It's the best thing for you."
For more race photos, go here. To learn more about Craig Stanke, go here.
