This week’s Featured Runner Friday is a reminder that running is about so much more than miles and finish times. Welcome Connor! For most of his life, running wasn’t the plan. That role belonged to his older brother, Colby who was a track and cross country athlete and found his love for running at just seven years old. Watching from a year behind, he tried to follow in his footsteps, but quickly realized long-distance running wasn’t his path. Years later, everything changed. After college, Colby was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given only months to live. One dream stayed close to his heart: completing a marathon. When he shared that goal, the response was simple and powerful, “I’ll be by your side. I’ll do it with you.” Sadly, as Colby’s illness progressed, running was no longer possible, and the marathon dream faded. Nearly two years after his passing, that promise still remained. With just three months of training, Connor lined up to run a marathon, not as a lifelong runner, but as a sibling honoring a dream. Every mile carried meaning. Every low point was met with strength drawn from Colby’s presence, felt step by step along the course. That day sparked something unexpected: a genuine love for running. Born from remembrance, resilience, and love.