When did you start running and what led you to this sport? I started running in 6th grade at Linkhorne Middle School. Barbara Lucy was the head coach, Chip Tucker the assistant, and I originally joined just to stay in shape for soccer. At the beginning of the season, Mrs. Lucy handed out the schedule and announced that the top seven runners at the first meet would qualify for an overnight trip. I immediately decided that was my meet.
So in my first race, I went out way too hard (obviously). I still remember the older teammates yelling at me to pace myself. I finished second on the team…and never really looked back.
What is your proudest running-related accomplishment? This is a tough one, so I’m going with two—no particular order.
1. Competing collegiately at the College of William & Mary (Go Tribe!). During my junior year, our cross-country team finished 5th in the nation—the first time in school history we had three All-Americans in XC. That team was recently inducted into the W&M Athletics Hall of Fame, and I was selected to give the induction speech. What made that team special was how deeply we believed that no individual was more important than the collective. We trusted the system, worked our tails off together, and the results followed suit.
2. In 2011, the year I graduated from college, I missed my 5th year due to knee surgery—a tough way to end an otherwise great career. I decided to channel that frustration into the Richmond Marathon while starting my “real life” job in insurance. On a great day, I ran 2:20:28, finished 6th, and missed the Trials qualifier by just 28 seconds. Painful…but still incredibly proud of that effort.
What were/are your favorite races to run and why? Championship racing in late fall. Period.
In high school, it was districts, regionals, and states. In college, regionals and nationals. One of the coolest parts of college racing was that we raced 8Ks all season, but our coach trained us like we were running 10Ks. That meant some very tired legs early on—but when 10K season arrived, watching competitors fall apart at 8K while you clicked into another gear? Absolute chef’s kiss.
Where do you like to run? I used to be all about the trails…until my ankles reminded me they’re made of glass. These days, I stick to sidewalks and streets—lots of Rivermont, Blackwater Creek Trail, and Langhorne. I’m also one of the psychos who parks at E.C. Glass and runs the full 10‑Miler course.
I’m also not afraid of the treadmill. With two young kids at home, my wife and I get up early to work out. Big Peloton guy over here.
What are your PRs (mile, 5,000, and marathon)? Do you have future running goals?
- Mile: 4:02
- 5K: 13:50
- Marathon: 2:20
Bruce (4) and Elizabeth (6) take up most of my time, which is exactly why we love early workouts. They’ll sit next to me on the treadmill, color, listen to music, cheer, and dance—which honestly makes it way more fun. Part of me wants to run every major marathon, but if I’m being real, the bigger goal is just being a good role model. If they grow up active—and maybe even excited about running—that’s a win.
Why should local runners be part of the Lynchburg Road Runners Club?Easy. The discount at Riverside Runners…thanks, Jeff!
But seriously, the running community here is incredibly tight. We have awesome routes, strong support, and for a city this size, we’re lucky to host a premier race like the 10‑Miler.
You have a big race tomorrow. What are you eating tonight? Before my second-ever marathon (Shamrock), I had a Jersey Mike’s sub and two beers.
10/10—highly recommend.
Free tickets: Taylor Swift, Coldplay, or Noah Kahan—who are you seeing? I’m a big Swiftie, so that’s the easy pick…but if I’m honest, I probably pass. I only have so much political capital with my wife, and if I’m traveling for fun, it’s to watch the Green Bay Packers.
GO PACK GO.
What questions do you wish we would have asked you?
Who has been most instrumental in your running career?
I’ve been incredibly lucky with coaches.
- Barbara Lucy: An amazing human and teacher who somehow made running “cool” back when most of my friends were playing soccer.
- Danny Boyers: My guy. When he coached me at 16, he was only 25/26. The time and energy he invested in me is something I’ll never fully repay. We still meet up to run, and I’m incredibly grateful for him.
- Rod Camden: An awesome high school track coach and one of my biggest fans. He recorded my final NCAA meet and invited me over just to watch it together.
- Alex Gibby: My collegiate coach—truly one of a kind. Now the head coach at Harvard, where he’s coached back‑to‑back XC national champions. A genius in the sport.
Photo by Robert Hill
