Saturday was one of the most memorable days of my life—my family and I had the honor of watching my 87-year-old grandfather complete 26.2 miles, as the oldest person to run the Richmond Marathon! 🏆❤️ This was his third and final marathon, and undoubtedly the most meaningful. Anyone who knows me knows he’s the reason I started long-distance running and signed up for my first marathon 2 years ago. I thought, if he can do it at his age, I certainly can at mine!
My grandfather is the hardest worker I know. I mean, he’s 87 and STILL working full time as an engineer for the US Army and runs about 9 miles each day—like it’s NOTHING! 🤯 Running a marathon is the toughest test of physical and mental endurance I’ve faced so far in my life. From my first marathon to now, I’ve gained so much perspective and perseverance, all thanks to him. Whenever I feel like quitting—whether it’s me wanting to walk instead of run or procrastinate instead of study—I think about my grandfather and everything he’s accomplished through sheer determination.
Saturday’s marathon was extra special because I ran it for him. Getting to rerun the last mile by his side and cross the finish line together is a moment I’ll treasure forever. Seeing him with a huge smile on his face at mile 26.2 is a sight I’ll never forget—not just because he rarely smiles for pictures, but because I could feel his pride and humility in that moment.
And of course, the fact that he was casually walking around the house the next day, as if he didn’t just run a marathon, was icing on the cake. 😂 I definitely won’t be running marathons at 87 (😅), but I hope to be even half as inspiring as my grandfather is when I reach that age.
Love you, Papa! 👴🏽❤️
Read about my grandfather’s incredible story on WRIC ABC 8News (@8news): https://www.wric.com/community/positively-richmond/87-year-old-runner-finishes-historic-richmond-marathon/
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