For Kurt Oblinger, however, those few kilometers of Sunday's Heart Mini-Marathon held special meaning. Along with the 88 members of his team, he walked for the 70 million people in America who live with heart disease. He walked for the brother who died last year in a car accident. And he walked for himself, a survivor who went through two open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant.

Oblinger, a junior leadership and communication management major, began this difficult journey in mid-February last year, when he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Although he displayed similar symptoms to those of his older brother Keith, who also had the disease, the news still came as a surprise.

'I always perceived heart disease as an 'old people disease,'' he said. 'Young people were an exception.'

Thus began a period of lengthy hospital stays and treatment in Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky., an 'interesting experience.'

'You kind of lose your dignity,' Oblinger said, referring to the necessity of being open with medical staff about personal matters and the ennui of forced inactivity.

Because his heart was not responding well to treatment, doctors told Oblinger he would need a transplant. That blow had been preceded by another. On his way from Fort Wayne, Ind. to visit his brother, Keith Oblinger was killed when his car slid on a patch of ice and crashed. He was 26.

The challenges mounted. In early March, Oblinger underwent open-heart surgery to implant a left ventricle assist device (LVAD) that would prolong his life while he waited for a transplant. Later, an emergency open-heart operation was necessary to remove fluid. After some more time in the hospital learning how to live with the device, which had a tube exiting his side and had to stay sterilized, Oblinger went home before Easter.

Oblinger's wait ended on May 5, 2005 when he received a heart transplant and was released six days later. Recovery involved getting re-accustomed to walking and to prevent any infection or disease, wearing a surgical mask in public, which made him feel 'like an outcast.'

Currently, Oblinger said he's 'fully recovered,' although he can still become sick easily.

'I just try not to out-do myself,' he said.

The support of his friends and family enabled Oblinger to recover in time to begin school again at UD in August. He will be graduating on time with the rest of his class in 2007 and is also considering law school.

'My family and friends have just been so supportive with making sure that I'm healthy,' he said. 'They're all there for me.'

In particular, the memory of his brother has kept him going.

'The one thing that always brings me back is my brother,' Oblinger said. 'These are the things that he would have done. He would be going out to these parties. He would be making sure he'd finish school.'

The experience has taught Oblinger to disregard 'the petty things in life.' In addition, he has become more active in raising awareness about heart health. Along with his fraternity brothers in Sigma Nu, Oblinger participated in the Greater Dayton Heart Walk in September. For the Heart Mini-Marathon this past Sunday, he and his team raised over $8,600 for the American Heart Association.

'The heart walk is key to promoting healthy hearts,' Oblinger said. 'Watch your diet; [get] plenty of exercise. Even that doesn't stop everything. You can't stop everything but you can do your best to try.'

Oblinger said while he isn't a perfect role model, his story can still encourage others.

'I hope that I'm being an inspiration.'