It’s not always about the clock

The finish line can look like it’s miles away when it’s only 400m from you. The last few steps or minutes seem to transform into mental and physical agony. For me, this is how some tough finishes felt. For one young runner, the challenges and time are multiplied in difficulty. Sometimes it is not about the finishing time but about finishing.

In 2012, the photo of a young seven-year-old by the name of Owen Derby made the news. Owen, who has cerebral palsy, looked triumphant as he crossed the finish line of 5K run at a the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. His challenge and his walker made the run difficult but he overcame and was greeted by his mom who also ran the race. Owens is back to race this year.

Owen

I found out about Owen through Jenna Pettinato, a social media coordinator with the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. The first time she saw Owen was in 2012 and it it was pouring rain, but she said Owen insisted on finishing the race.

After, Jenna received an email from Owen’s mother saying that he’d be back this year and that he’s hoping to shave 20 minutes off his time. I needed to know more and help share his story.

Owen is nine and lives with his mom, brother Brennan and sister Alex in Whitby, Ont. Together as team Owen, the family is running on race weekend. I got hold of Owen’s mom to find out about this special runner.

Owen has a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He loves sports and stays very active in summer and winter by playing soccer, and sledge hockey. Owen’s mom says he has always loved to go fast.

“He is a typical boy who needs to run everywhere he goes. So I thought we would try the Scotiabank marathon,” said Owens mother. “That year Owen walked a little and I pulled him a little in the wagon. In 2012, Owen told my husband and I on our way the the marathon that he was going to do the whole thing by himself. Brent and I just looked at each other, smiled and said ‘OK, Owen, you do your best.’ That year his best was the whole 5K, stopping for one break. In 2013 he did it again, shaving 20 minutes off his time and probably could have gone further.”

Owen’s mom says she can even see him achieving his wish to run without his walker. His mom’s love for her son shines through with her words and how she talks about him.

“Owen has a very warm heart. He loves life and everyone in it. He aims to make his parents proud and the prouder we are, the harder he pushes to go over and beyond.”

“As a parent you always want to see your child happy. Seeing a happy child lets you know you are doing your job right.”

Although Owen is aiming to take 20 minutes of his 5K, I think the accomplishment in itself is inspiring. That Owen keeps wanting more strikes a chord with us all.

Each one of us has a story to tell. Each one of us, as a runner and a person, have struggles and triumphs. There is something special about someone young overcoming adversity and expectations with a smile.

See you on the roads or in the blogosphere.

Do you have a story to tell?

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