Roanoke – The Blue Ridge Marathon is known for bringing in participants from all walks of life.
Nathan Hale, of Vinton, weighed nearly 300 pounds less than two years ago. For the first time, he ran this 26-mile race.
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Nathan says the Blue Ridge Marathon was more about the journey than the destination.
Although it's hard to believe now, it was only 18 months ago Hale weighed 299 pounds and was at risk of becoming diabetic.
His wife, Paige Hale, was by his side during the journey, but was nervous when she couldn't find him at the starting line.
“It was a sea of people, and it was impossible to see him,” Paige said.
But he was more than keeping up with the pack.
Fortunately, Paige tracked his run from the Blue Ridge Marathon app on her phone where she could see how this first-time marathon runner was doing.
“At mile 2.7, I believe he was about 28 minutes in, and he's just getting warmed up,” Paige said.
Since his participation in a research study on diabetes at Carilion Clinic, Paige says he started running, literally, toward a better life. “He goes to the grocery store and gets avocados and apples,” Paige said.
In addition to losing 130 pounds, Nathan started training for this marathon just two months ago.
Volunteer Chad Heddleston was amazed to hear Nathan was tackling this particular race as a novel runner.
“It's America's toughest marathon! It's got a lot of big hills and it's brutally hard, and it's raining,” Heddleston said.
After 4 hours and 30 minutes, Paige spotted Nathan at the finish line, ahead of his own schedule.
“I did it! I beat my goal by 15 minutes,” Nathan said.
It was hard to tell who was more stunned. Nathan? “I feel like a million bucks,” he shouted.
Or his friends?
“To see him get out and do this? Unbelievable! Unbelievable,” exclaimed runner Jean Evansmore, who also participated in the marathon.
Even though this die-hard runner acknowledges the race was a challenge, he says he never stopped running.