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Running is one of those things that gets in your blood.  Once that passion hits you, you become a runner for the rest of your life.
 
For former Eastern Illinois cross country runner Mike Viano, that passion to run has not only stayed with him but it has also become the source of his livelihood.
 
Viano is the President of First to the Finish, a retail store specializing in cross country and track and field equipment.  The business which began with Mike selling track and field equipment out of the basement of his home has expanded to four retail locations and is one of the top three online retailers of track and field equipment/apparel in the country.
 
"I ran for Eastern Illinois and was interested in selling track and field stuff, but I had no idea it would become what it is today," said Viano.  "We have over 80 employees and are expanding our retail locations as well as our distribution center from 50,000 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet."
 
The hard work displayed comes from some of the tools learned while a distance runner at EIU in the late 1970's.  As a senior he posted six top ten finishes including a fourth place showing in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional.  Viano would go on to place 49th at the NCAA Championships as EIU placed third as a team.
 
"Running at EIU makes you a very dedicated person and develops an internal drive.  You realize what hard work can do for you.  Coach Tom Woodall taught me hard work, respect and dedication for the sport."
 
Those lessons helped build a foundation for a successful business but they also laid the ground work for a lifestyle that not only surrounds himself but has enveloped his family members as well.  All three of his children became runners in high school and earned athletic scholarships.  His oldest daughter Kelsee began her career at Missouri State before finishing at EIU.  Son Austin currently runs at Southern Indiana while daughter Lea just completed her freshman season running at Eastern Illinois.
 
"After graduation I ran competitive until I was 30 years old.  All three of my children became runners in high school.  My wife Kim just recently completed the Boston Marathon and has qualified for next year's event.  As for myself I resumed competitive running when I turned 50 and enjoy every race.  The competitive drive is still there and it's a blast."
 
As Viano looks back at the humble beginnings of his business to where they are today, he knows the odds of making it were not always in his favor.
 
"There are so many days that are favorite moments in owning this business.  One of the biggest is when we broke several million in sales a few years ago after all the struggles and hard work to get it started.  Starting a business with a dream usually doesn't come true but I was very lucky."
 
Over the years Viano has had several successes from earning Business Leader of the Year honors, setting records in sales, to being inducted into his high school (Gillespie) athletic hall of fame.  However he looks back at some of the coaches and teammates he had at EIU as one of his great successes.
 
"Coach Woodall is a true coach and I could never thank him enough for everything he did for me.  I was one of the lucky runners to have him as a coach.  My running teammates were very important to me.  We worked hard and loved every minute of it.  Most of my teammates have become very successful in several different areas after graduation.  It's been over 30 years for most of us and we still remember those days at EIU.  I know we didn't know how much each team member would miss this after graduation."
 
For Viano he has been fortunate to be able to combine a passion he developed so many years ago as a student-athlete at Eastern Illinois into a career that can support his family.  As First to the Finish continues to expand from its current size, Viano goes to work every day doing something he loves.
 
"I love my job because it's what I love to do.  Running, track and field and cross country are what I enjoy and I don't consider it a job if you enjoy what you do every day".
 
EIU: Class of 1982
Sport: Cross Country