It was the 2014 Scheels Earth Day Half Marathon held on the campus of St. Cloud State University. Sidney ran the race with his mom, Tammy and her Sherburne County co-workers. Incredibly, Sidney finished first in his age group and 603rd out of 1,248 runners. He crossed the finish line at 2:00:16 and averaged 9:17 per mile.

 

All this despite not training to the fullest extent and suffering an injury to his gluteus maximus muscle and experiencing a calf muscle injury at about mile eight of the race.

 

“ If I would have trained and stuck to my plan, this injury most likely would not have happened,” said Sidney.  “Luckily, it was not serious enough to keep me out of my track meet Tuesday.”

 

Sidney runs for the Becker junior high track team coached by Paul Lindsay. He credits Lindsay for preparing him for the half marathon with a home running plan Boros failed to follow devoutly. However, Sidney gives kudos to his coach for getting him in good condition to persevere the 13-mile race.

 

“The thing I like most about running is that it keeps me fit and competitive,” says Sidney.  “Running has always been a hobby for me.  I am able to relax when I run.  It puts my day behind me and allows me to focus on the music and energy I get from running.”

 

Tammy, who about seven years ago tore a disc in her back which left her unable to walk, has been a runner since high school but never really competed in many races.

 

“Through the help of my physician and physical therapy, I was able to walk and then run again,” said Tammy. “It took about eight months from that injury to be able to run. I've been running ever since and now I run because I can.”

 

Tammy runs five-to-eight miles regularly, every other day and that influence has rubbed off on her son.

 

“It is my mom who got me hooked on running a 5K with her and since then I have enjoyed it,” said Sidney, who started those 5ks back in 2009. “After my mom and I finished the 1/2 marathon, I told her ‘we will be eventually running a full marathon."

 

Tammy’s reply was, "I never planned on running a full marathon but if you want me to I will."  

 

Sidney said at this point he and his mom are not sure where or when they’ll try and tackle a full marathon but hopefully they can in the next couple of years. 

 

“We will always be looking for possible events to run,” said Sidney.  “I'm sure our first event will not be Boston, but we still might get to travel somewhere other than Minnesota for the event.”

 

This is Sidney’s first year running for a competitive team (junior high team) after playing baseball and lacrosse in previous years. Track was not an option for him until he reached the seventh grade. He also plays football in the fall.

 

“I am proud of Sidney’s ambition,” his mother says. “He's such a good kid with a mature soul.  It's fun to watch him become a positive leader in his personal, academic and athletic life.”

 

Tammy says she really enjoys watching his swiftness in other sports as well as track.

 

“Although Sidney did get his running 'bug' from me, I find his focus and form — when he runs — are my inspiration!”

 

Tammy finished the half marathon in 2:27:18, 60th out of 74 females in her age group.

 

Tammy works as an office assistant at the Sherburne County Jail where she provides clerical support to the jail administrators and law enforcement. She is married (Robin) and they also have a younger son (12) named Morgan.

 

“Robin and Morgan are always at our aid after races,” she said.  “While they may not always be at the races due to schedule conflicts, they wait on us when we get home, which is pretty neat.”

 

Sidney and Tammy don’t recommend anyone attempting to run something like a half marathon on little if no training. Their advice is to start small and work your way up to your goal.

 

“Have a training plan and stick with it,” said Sidney. “Our training plan was to start running two months before the race.”

 

Sidney and his mom would start week one going one to two miles, four times a week and then add two miles each progressing week.

 

“If you are scared of trying a half marathon, the half was really not that bad,” said Sidney. “These events are fun and you will feel great about yourself when completing.  If you are still nervous about being alone when running, ask a friend to run it with you.”

 

Often times in previous races, Sidney found himself  grouped with high school students and graduates because of his age.  

 

“It is hard to be recognized as a runner when paired against more physically matured athletes,” he said.  “But I know that if I keep with running my day will come.  In most cases, I am close to, if not, the youngest runner in the race.”

 

Besides his mother, Sidney looks up to the example of Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

 

“For his age of 38 years, he (Manning) is old for football and he is still able to be competitive and do well in his position,” said Sidney.  “That inspires me because it shows me that even though the odds are more against me for my age, just as it may be the case for Manning, I still complete well against others.” 

 

Sidney’s ultimate goal is to eventually run competitively in college.

 

“My main event that I train for is a 400 meter or 1/4 mile,” he says.  “I would like to be good enough at this event to make college track and field.  If I am able to do college, then maybe I will try for the Olympics.  But my current goal is to make high school track and letter.  You gotta start somewhere.”