Bishop Paprocki, a seasoned marathoner, was scheduled to run in the 26.2-mile race through the Black Hills. But flights to the area were cancelled due to a massive snowstorm. The bishop's original flight out of O'Hare Airport was cancelled Friday evening, Oct. 4. The next morning, two more flights were scrapped before the marathon was officially called off because of the weather.

Instead, Bishop Paprocki has registered for the first-ever Springfield Marathon, Oct. 20.

"I know people were praying for my marathon run, but they must have been praying that I would run in Springfield instead of South Dakota, so their prayers have been answered!" Bishop Paprocki said.

As has been his practice, Bishop Paprocki has been accepting pledges or donation pledges for his 2013 marathon run. Funds raised from this year's marathon were designated primarily to the Catholic Charities' Mobile Food Pantry. As of Oct. 14, more than $8,220 has been pledged.

"Since the Crazy Horse Marathon got snowed out by a blizzard, I still owe our generous donors a marathon, so I will fulfill that obligation by running the Springfield Marathon on Oct. 20. Please pray that we don't get snow that day," the bishop said.

The Springfield Marathon course will begin at the University of Illinois-Springfield, cross Lake Springfield at the Lindsay Bridge, proceed in a wide loop in the rural area southeast of Springfield, and then return to the starting point on the UIS campus. For more information on the Springfield Marathon, visit the website at www.springfieldmarathon.net.

Now that the Crazy Horse Marathon has been cancelled, pledges and donations will be applied to Bishop Paprocki's participation in the Springfield Marathon. If anyone has any questions or concerns, contact Shaun Riedell in the diocese Office for Stewardship and Development, (217) 698-8500, ext. 114. Email him at .