Loco el guapo!

I think you have to send a Florida person to the North Pole.

Not only will Mike Cummings do well in the North Pole Marathon but he will entertain everyone each step of the way. Whether the stories are about the training or the actual marathon journey, Mike will have us all holding our sides from laughing. One will also be riveted by the yarns he spins of this one of a kind adventure. We must send Mike Cummings to the North Pole!

He ain't pretty but he sure is gritty!

this Cummings guy really is hott! And in the future he has told me he will get someone to proof read his poor grammar!

He really must want this.....VIVA EL GUAPO!!!

After reviewing this application it is obvious to me that this Mike person is both masculine and strong...an ideal candidate for such a greuling task. He also appears to have the intelligence to see what a really great idea it is to run a marathon at the North Pole. I say he needs to go!

Mike is the Athlete you are looking for. He trains religiously and efficiently. His personality is one to remember. You meet him once and you feel like your friends for life. He not only would represent the great state of Florida but he would represent your Marathon with integrity and passion. He is the one for you.. Don't believe see for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

I ran mike-s first marathon with him(and its the last one i ran:-)the man could stop global warming!he has his big brothers blessing!!!!!

I've run 2-3 miles for years, but I didn't love it. In August I met the newly formed El Guapo running club. The zany, hysterically funny people who run 7 days a week before sunrise. So, I became hooked on the comraderie, and the daily post-run Starbucks. (Now I run 30-35 miles a week.) The 3 guys who began the group didn't know that their "handsome guy" or "ladies' man" name (depending on your Spanish dictionary) would actually become a chaperone set-up so ladies weren't alone on our city street runs. We're 80% women, but there is always a guy to ward off the flashers, crazed kitty cats, and a real incident of big aggressive scary dog. Mostly it's Mike Cummings- If he can't come, he makes sure other guys will. The group encourages new runners, never leaves one alone on the tail of the group, and has gotten about 45 regular members and more occasional runners. We do all the usual things- pub crawls, etc. After our runs we go home and send hilarious group emails from our respective offices, where we purport to be working.

So, about Mike- think Dave Barry with a running problem. Obviously there are more advanced guru runner applicants (yawn), and ones who already live in the tundra. There are ones for whom a Pole run would be just another feather in his cap. For Mike this would be a life changing experience. Wouldn't it be interesting to see how it went for him as a Florida guy, middle-of-the-pack marathon runner? And he is so funny (and kind). He can get the funny onto paper easily. He does it daily for all of us. I'm sure I speak for my fellow members when I say we will promise to help edit (but for grammar and spelling only- the content is all Mike!) Please send him to the North Pole.

Mike is being quite humble, in my opinion. Let me tell you, being selected El Presidente of the El Gaupo Running Club is quite the high honor indeed. He neglected to note that one of his greatest qualities is his ability to consume vast amounts of yellow snow, a distinct advantage for one traversing at the North Pole. There is no debate; your selection is inevitable. Mike Cummings must go to the Pole! Go El Gaupo!

I can't agree more with the opinions listed above. Mike is being humble and humorous as always, but is a great person, a strong runner and has the stamina to make it through the North Pole. Not only will he have the best training blog, he will keep everyone entertained throughout the whole experience. And as funny as he seems he is a very serious competitor and never quits!! Please pick Mike we know he can do it!

First Mike is HOT and you need someone hot in that climate. Secondly, his running group is so fiercly loyal to him that you may even have some of us in the North Pole to support him, but I guess you don't need tourists up there? Thirdly, and most importantly, as you have heard, this oh so sweet running club started with three guys and now it is a group of 50 beginner to elite runners. Just last week, our members won every age group of another running club's race, and Mike took the big prize. If we miss a day, he calls, emails and holds you accountable. He inspires, he motivates, he entertains. Surely, you gotta have someone with those kind of leadership skills to get self and others through a North Pole marathon. The only reason I wouldn't want you to send Mike to the Pole is that I would really miss having him here to run with me.

Mike is the BEST! Not only is he an AWESOME athlete (he plays on a tennis team in addition to running EVERY DAY) but he is an awesome guy. He started running to keep up with his toddler son, but he keeps running because he LOVES it. He keeps us all motivated and laughing with his humor and endless optimism.

PICK HIM PICK HIM PICK HIM!

Please pick the Florida boy.
Thanks - his Mom

OK, I'll admit I don't understand the whole running in the snow thing...cold, wet. Not my idea of fun. I prefer the more temperate climates in Florida, even the extreme heat over extreme cold, so unlike Fussy I won’t be there physically to support Mike. But I do support his goal. This is something Mike wants to do, feels he can do, so I believe he will. Yes we talked about how funny he is, how he already entertains us daily with emails about generally, well, nothing really important most days. The truth is he really is hysterical and creative and able to find the humor in so many situations. I read another candidates comment that, “below a certain temperature nothing is funny”. Somehow, as crazy as it seems to me, I think Mike may prove this wrong. I can’t imagine the stories he’ll turn out! Or at the very least the stories we’ll come up with about him while he’s away! I could go on about what a great person and friend he is as well as a dedicated and committed athlete, but would just skim the surface. Mike really has earned this opportunity and should be selected to go to the North Pole!!

What do you get when you cross Mike Cummings with a polar bear? A polar bear!

You’ve heard it before, but Mike is truly an inspirational guy and an amazing athlete!!!!!! He started our running club and has motivated so many folks!! He has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and passion for the sport. Despite his extreme speed and agility, Mike’s the kind of person that never leaves a man behind. He’s led the team through fun runs, speed workouts at the track, bridge runs (our only “hills” in Jacksonville), marathons and made it all amusing. I can’t imagine a more deserving, dedicated person than Mike. And he wants it BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE CAN DO IT! Please, pick Mike!!!

I always thought Mike was a typically normal person. When I found out that he wants to do a polar marathon that's when I started wondering whether his cerebral neurons were misfiring. With that said however, Mike Cummings is the best choice for this event. There can be no doubt about his passion for running, not just his many marathons, but his founding of the El Guapo running club here in Jacksonville. He has encouraged neophyte as well as advanced runners to exceed his or her potential. This supportive nature was further demonstrated by his volunteering to coach four year old soccer. Coach Mike's integrity, outstanding teaching skills, and concern for youth development in sports transformed an unfocused scrum of four year olds into a spirited, happily motivated team, that even won some games. Mike enjoys life. He's bright, witty, energetic, tough minded and determined. He'd be perfect for this arctic challenge.