18-year-old running 7th Chevron Houston Marathon
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Eighteen-year-old Will Lord has not missed a Houston marathon since the day he was born. First as a spectator watching his dad, then as a runner with him.
"My dad inspires me more than anyone else when it comes to running. He is the one who taught me, every step of the way," Will said.
Though only a teenager, Will has completed four Aramco half marathons and six Chevron Houston Marathons.
"He just saw me doing it every weekend, and he thought it was normal behavior to go out every Saturday and every Sunday and train. He said that looks like fun. So he just started coming out with me, and I changed the kind of races I was doing so that he could participate with me," Will's dad told ABC13.
Will said his proudest moment as a runner was during his junior year of high school when the broke three hours in the marathon for the first time.
Last summer, Will was one of two local high school students awarded the Houston Marathon Foundation's Susan Poormon Blackie Scholarship.The scholarship gives each student $20,000 over four years.
"I did not expect it at all and it's just a great honor," Will said.
Today, Will is a freshman at his dream college, Southwestern University, where he continues to excel on the cross country and track teams. Will's next goal is to become the Chevron Houston Marathon's youngest legacy runner.
"When a runner completes the Houston marathon 10 times, they honor you with that title. If I complete my tenth one in four years, that would make me 22 when I get it, making me the youngest Houston Marathon Legacy Runner," Will said.
"He hit every goal he has ever set and it's amazing. I just think he's trying to make his own mark in his own way," his dad said.
