David McGillivray, the RD for the Boston Marathon, has done that since he was 12 -- now he's approaching 60.
There's a great chapter in his book, "The Last Pick". It's a great read, highly recommended. Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Pick-Marathon-Directors-Success/dp/B0013VXXYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212065328&sr=8-1
The book also spends a lot of time talking about when he ran from Medford Oregon to Medford Massachusetts in about 80 days (roughly 50 mile days) -- then went a few more miles over to Fenway Park and ran two "victory" laps inside during the game (he was raising money for the Jimmy Fund) to a standing ovation. And since this was back before internet and cell phones, he says the planning was just as difficult (if not more so) than running the thing.
Yeah, I like this book.