WHO: Tom Glenetzke, 44
WHAT: Production manager at Tegrant Corporation and owner/founder of Athlete Furniture
LIVES: Eau Claire’s south side
IN THE CITY FOR: 8 years

Tom is an avid marathon runner, who hopes to participate in all of the 50 states (he already has done so in 12). He doesn’t race to win, but to taste the glorious sense of accomplishment that 26 miles of pavement provides. It was before one of these marathons, as he watched people scramble for t-shirts and posters, that he decided to offer something different and try his hand at being an entrepreneur by selling athletic artwork, jewelry, and furniture.

If you were to start your own marathon race, what would it be? The big marathons are all easy. There really isn’t a winter marathon so people from southern states can experience what a Wisconsin winter is all about.

You need to refuel: do you go with Gatorade, water, or what?  Gatorade (Frost)

What garb combination do you go with when you’re going to run a marathon: spandex, short-shorts, hat, topless?  You need to start with a good pair of running shoes. From there, it needs to be lightweight and comfortable. I start with an old flannel shirt that I can keep warm with at the beginning and I can throw away when I warm up during the race.

Since you’re a “silent” sport athlete (cycling, running, skiing), what do you do when you feel the desire to cheer for a team?  Remain quiet!

What place considers you a regular? You know, I thought about this a lot. I was thinking bars and stuff, but, you know, it’s the dog park. That’s where Luther (my golden retriever) and I go the most.

What frustrates you about the Valley? We need to attract more manufacturing jobs, which I know is very difficult.

What was the best cultural experience you’ve had here? Live music in Phoenix Park. Specifically, Howard Luedtke. It’s free and open to everyone, and I think that’s cool.

Describe your last encounter with the police. It’s been a long time since I worked the second shift, but I would run at 2 o’clock in the morning. Well one of them pulled me over and asked me what I was doing. Is there a law against running at night?

Death bed, one meal from a local restaurant, what would it be? Sammy’s Pizza

Water Street or downtown? Both

South side or north side? South side

Favorite Oakwood Mall store? Scheels

What part of town have you never visited? Mt. Simon. I’ve just never been there.

Who is your favorite Wisconsinite? This is one I actually had to do some research for, just to see if he’s actually from here. Bob Uecker. He did Mr. Belvedere out in Hollywood, but we grew up with him as the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers.

What sort of economic development would you like to see in our area? We need to attract manufacturing: good, full-time jobs and incubators for small businesses to launch.

If you could rename Eau Claire a different French name, what would it be? La Gronde Ville Pour Habiter. I went to one of those translators and just typed in “Great City to Live,” so there you go.

How many pairs of shoes do you think you’ve gone through in the past five years? I’ve retired about 15 pairs of running shoes, one for each marathon.