After they finished first and second in the 5,000 meters in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Games earlier this month, Celia Watts had an idea for her son Randall and his friend Josh Holley.
She proposed the idea of the pair — dubbed the “Dynamic Duo” — run half-marathons in all 50 states. Holley, 19, is developmentally disabled, and Randall Watts, 18, is non-verbal autistic.
“It’s a cool idea,” said Holley, a Columbus North graduate and IUPUC freshman. “I want to try to run in 50 states to bring awareness for disabilities … and make Randall’s time faster.”
The duo crossed the first state off their list on Saturday when they ran the half marathon as part of the Mill Race Marathon events. Holley ran the half marathon last year in 1 hour 59 minutes, but he ran with Watts this year, and they finished in 1:40:17 and 1:40:18.
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Holley often runs distances of up to 20 miles at a time. But doctors have advised Watts, a senior at North, against running more than the 13.1-mile half marathon distance.
“He has a lot of foot problems,” said his father, Tom Watts. “The doctor says he can’t really explain medically how he can run, but he loves it so much, he does it. He perseveres.”
Sidekicks and White River Running Company have donated running shoes to the duo’s effort, and Henry Chiropractic will help with massages. Hoosier Sporting Goods printed “Dynamic Duo” t-shirts, and Chevrolet of Columbus is covering their entry fees into races. Special Dogs also is providing sponsorship.
The duo is considering doing a half-marathon next month in Nashville, Tennessee. They also are looking at doing races in Louisville, St. Louis and Cincinnati.
But the Holleys and the Watts’ are looking for sponsorship to help with costs when they try to travel to the states that are outside of driving distance.
“We’re able to travel close to Indiana, but when it’s beyond Tennessee, that’s when we’re going to need more sponsorship,” said Holley’s mother, Deana Holley.
Tom Watts often rides his bike when the duo go on long runs. He is supportive of the duo’s ambitions to run in all 50 states.
“It sounds like a pretty lofty goal, but they’re fired up about it, and they both love to run,” Tom Watts said. “So if we can make it happen, it’s pretty exciting.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Dynamic Duo” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Josh Holley
Age: 19
High school: Columbus North
College: IUPUC
Best half marathon time: 1:40:17
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Name: Randall Watts
Age: 18
High school: Columbus North
Best half marathon time: 1:40:18
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