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TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) alum and men's hockey assistant coach Nolan Graham '03 is competing in a 50-mile ultra marathon on August 17 in Lockport, New York. Graham will take part in the Beast of Burden Run in an effort to raise awareness and donations for Defending the Blue Line, which aids children of armed service members to stay involved in hockey. The Engineers men's hockey team will work with Defending the Blue Line throughout the 2013-14 season.

"The RPI Men's Hockey Team is honored to partner with Defending the Blue Line," said head coach Seth Appert. "We are proud to be associated with such a tremendous organization and our coaching staff and student-athletes are looking forward to forging a strong relationship where we can support the families of our military."

"I think he's crazy for running 50 miles, but we really can't thank him enough for his dedication to our organization” Shane Hudella, Defending the Blue Line President, said of Graham. “Nolan and the rest of the RPI crew are going above and beyond in their dedication to the military community."

Graham, who played forward for RPI from 1999-03, totaled 77 points (27 goals, 50 assists) and 130 penalty minutes in 140 career games. His best season statistically came in 2000-01 when he scored 11 goals with 14 assists in 29 games. He helped the Engineers to two 20-win seasons and two appearances in the ECAC Final Five in Lake Placid, including the 2000 championship game.

Since returning to Troy prior to the 2010-11 season the Nanaimo, B.C., native has been running competitively. Among the races in which he competed was the 2013 Boston Marathon, which he finished in 3:15.46. He qualified for Boston with a time of 2:56 at the Hudson Mohawk Marathon.

The Beast of Burden is a 25-mile "out and back" loop that runs along the Erie Canal.