What started you running? Originally, I ran AAU in elementary school. It was like a family right of passage. After 6th grade I stopped and would dabble in my 20s with running. Mid 2020 my friends had a challenge going Nike Run Club, I hopped in, finished placed second. Then I moved to San Diego and within 5 months I ran my first BMR group run and have been here ever since.
What does your training week look like vsyour regular week of running?
Training weeks can include up to 4 runs of varying distances and efforts. I try to get some hill work in. Regular weeks of running are 2-3 runs, generally our BMR San Diego Group runs and an additional exploration run to learn more of the city.
Toughest race you ever completed?
My first Spartan Race had to be my toughest race even in my peak fitness. At the point we had to carry a bucket of rocks up a hill I was operating on 80% mental fitness. What motivated me more than anything was not doing what I saw breaking others around me so I pressed on. The elevation change on that course was also far beyond anything I experienced but I shared it with my brother so it was well worth it.
Funniest thing to happen to you during a race?
So I signed up for a 5k Trail Race. Got out in the front group and was leading. About 1.5 miles in, something wasn’t looking right and I determined I led the whole pack off course into a neighborhood, mind you everyone immediately behind me was under 18 years old. At some point I was on my phone looking at Google maps for the trail entrance. We eventually found it, got back in the race and I still finished 2nd Overall.
Whats something you cannot run without?
Currently, gaiter for my hair, my phone and run belt to carry it. 1000 mile year in the works.
What has been your best race day experience?
My first and second, Rock n Roll SD Half Marathon. The first was a dream where I was just floating and smiling as I passed people, even a few BMR brothers who cheered me on. The second I PR’d with the same level of effort but a better execution and we had VIP access so we partied it up in style!
Do you have a running tip for newbies?
Learn to run with mindfulness. Study your body as you move, take notes on the little things, then take in your surroundings and touch the world around you. It becomes less effort when you do. Whatever your conversation pace is, learn to settle into that for most of your running. Then spend some money on some good shoes when you can. It’s all the difference.
Best part about being a member of BMR?
The best part about being a member of BMR is the fellowship. I get to hang out with a group of brothers weekly that are on a similar wavelength. It was a little tough moving across the country mid pandemic, leaving all my social groups and family behind. BMR became my first family in California and it elevated my quality of life.
What started you running? An unhealthy weight of 300 pounds at age 48 and I was able to pull it off because of my height (6’3”), I bought bigger clothes and was living my best life, at least I thought I was. My primary physician advised me that I was diabetic with high blood pressure. She prescribed all these medications. This was a shock to me. My mother passed away from diabetes complications at 59 years old. I watched my mother deteriorate right before my eyes. I witnessed her go from being a strong person who lived her best life, eating and drinking whatever she wanted after her diabetes diagnosis. It was just my mom and me and she was my hero. I saw what this disease did to her, but I also saw that she did nothing preventive (diet or exercise) and just took her medication and continued to live her best life.
I spoke to my physician about becoming healthier. She kind of scoffed at me, like she did not believe me or as if she had heard this before many times. When she did that something in me snapped and it was on and poppin after that.
What does your training week look like vs your regular week of running? After my diabetes diagnosis, I started walking many miles daily; I didn’t care about pace. I didn’t know anything about the art/technique of walking/running at all. Walking became easy. I I was walking 7 to 8 miles daily. One day I thought to myself, man I spend a lot of time walking, let’s try a light jog. I had no proper training, no good equipment, just me deciding to step my game up. I knocked out 3 miles of a constant jog and I was hooked to running ever since.
My training week is more about diet now as I was logging at least 25 to 30 miles a week. Since I have signed up for the Detroit Free Press Marathon (FREEP), I run longer runs on Sunday which I didn’t do during a regular week, so that’s the mission currently.
What is your favorite race distance? I like long distance runs, 10K or more because your body is just getting warmed up after the first 2 miles and then you get in that zone around mile 3. I like to get lost in my thoughts, solve world problems in my mind, talk to relatives who have passed away. I feel great after a 10K and I get that runner’s high for sure.
Toughest race you ever completed? My toughest race was last years FREEP [Detroit Free Press]! Man, I went to my college homecoming on that Friday of the race and I did what we do at homecoming. I had the FREEP half on that Sunday and thought that I would be good. I was doing great for the first 8 miles. Coming out of that tunnel from Canada, man, I was ready to call it quits for sure. I had to incorporate a lot of walking and taking everything (water, Gatorade, gel packs) I could find at the aid stations. I finished the race but wasn’t proud of my preparation and learned a valuable lesson for sure.
Funniest thing to happen to you during a race? I was deep into running man, doing 6 miles a day everyday and averaging 200 miles a month at least. On this one run on a paved road next to a marsh, there was a possum. We made eye contact with one another and it was on. I was running on the pavement and he thought I was running after him; that possum was looking at me and I was looking at him. He was darting to his lair and I wanted to beat him there. I’m flying (or at least I think I am), and he is doing his thing, I look over one last time and took my eyes off the pavement, straight up supermanned that joint! I fell going at a fast pace. I threw my arms up like straight up superman and crashed out. I tumbled to where he was running too. I look over scuffed, and bruised up and the damn possum is looking at me from the mouth of his lair. And if animals could laugh I swear he was. I have other stories too about turkeys, construction workers, etc but that was a good one there.
Whats something you cannot run without? Garmin watch, headphones, and cell phone are a must. Got to check my status out at all times.
What keeps you motivated? Never going back to ‘300 pounds-land’, and the medication that comes with it. I’m currently medication-free and could always lose more weight. I’m no longer diabetic which is awesome. Also seeing what diabetes did to my hero keeps me going all the time.
Best part about being a member of BMR? I like running alone because I always feel like I’m wrecking someone’s run and I like to do my own thing. I’m a lot to digest, opinionated, straightforward but with interactions. This organization has accepted me whole-heartedly with my flaws and my quirks. They have shown me that I’m not in this alone, and they get me. They look like me and they can relate to me. I’m truly blessed to be a member of this great organization led by some great men. My Captain and Vice-Captains are that deal bro. These cats have seen me at my best and my worst and have truly shown support. This organization’s acceptance and encouragement is, bar none, the best thing that could have happened to me in my run life for sure. I will continue to sport my BMR gear with pride and speak glowingly to anyone willing to listen how this top notch organization can change your life for the better. BMR For Life!!!! Lets Go!!!!!!
By James ‘JT’ Hale, National Vice-Captain and Communications Director, Black Men Run
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting BMR brother Marcus Cunningham in Montgomery, Alabama at the Selma-to-Montgomery 51-mile relay expo. I had no idea that he and his wife would be at our regional race. We had already talked on the phone weeks before so that I could get his story. At the expo, I get a text from Marcus ‘we just touched down in Montgomery, see you at the expo!” and I was overjoyed. When I saw this brother, believe me, he did not look like what he had been through. He recently completed a 2-mile walk. His recovery from this devastating car accident has been nothing short of amazing.
Who is Marcus Cunningham and how did you get into BMR?
“I’ve been running by myself since 2012. A lot of times I would ask others to run with me. It was discouraging because those who would commit would renege. I didn’t know where to run. I started doing 5K runs in 2022; it was something I always wanted to try. In June 2023, I saw this guy at every run I’d go to. I would always speak to him. It was one of the guys from the Columbia chapter. I was working at BlueCross BlueShield; I would run into the same guy. He told me about Black Men Run and he invited me out to a group run. His name is Jonathan Kirkwood. Jonathan would always speak to other runners and ask them about their running. He said to me ‘I think it’s important, we are building each other up and no one is left behind.” I saw myself as a mediocre runner, but I learned with my first BMR run that there were different levels and paces. They made me feel like I belonged from the very first group run. I felt so welcome. We leave together and we come back together.”
The accident! What happened?
“I had just finished my 24th 5k run on Dec. 30, 2023. On Dec 31st, we had a joint run with BGR. I told my wife to join me; she is a member of BGR. She brought our little girl. I got dressed in my new BMR gear. I was so proud to wear it. I told my wife to meet me at the run. This is where the story gets fuzzy. I read the police report on what actually happened. I do not really remember what happened. A vehicle evading the police t-boned my car. The force sent my car across 4 lanes of traffic. My car was crushed beyond belief. The police had to use the jaws-of-life to get me out of the car [see pics]. The paramedics were asking me where I was going, if there is anyone they can call, etc. I told them ‘Yes, my wife’ and then I passed out. My wife had actually passed by the scene of the accident not knowing that was my car. I had emergency surgery: 6 broken ribs, broken clavicle, femur and they put a rod in my left leg. I was in and out of consciousness. By day 3, I realized I was in ICU.”
The Support!
“Our captain and vice-captain were the first to visit outside of my wife and parents. They were concerned because I said I was coming on the run, and I never showed up. My wife let them know what happened. The brothers told me ‘Anything you need, let us know, we got you’ [smile]. The brothers visited me regularly. Every time I ran with these guys, I made sure to talk to someone different to get to know the guys in my chapter. I did not realize how much of an impact that made. So, when I joined the group, I was just looking for someone to run with. I was running so slow that Mike and Curtis would come back and get me. From that moment, I never wanted to quit. And these guys showed up to check on me and make sure that I was good. I really appreciated that. And I really bonded with these guys. These brothers even dedicated a run to me within 2 weeks of me being in the hospital. They did a 5k, running with the flag. They even ran in front of the hospital. My mother said to me, “one thing you have to remember, you are with a group of really good people – do not take that for granted, promise me” My brother even said to me ‘in my absence, these guys are your brothers. Let them take care of you.”
“The hospital had to cut me out of my BMR gear. My wife kept my shirt and attempted to piece it back together. I didn’t see the pics of the car or x-rays showing my broken ribs until 2 weeks after the accident. I even had a tube in my side draining fluid: it was horrible. Fast forward to physical therapy, the nurse said I was healing fast, and they didn’t know why. Once I told them what I do, they attributed my swift healing to my running and working out. Also, because I didn’t see the accident getting ready to happen, my body did not tense up. This type of injury usually will keep you from your physical activities for at least a year. Doctors said that I should be fully recovered in 5-to-6 months. This type of injury usually has you recovering in a year. I really believe this accident was God telling me to sit down. I told my guys that I don’t know how to thank them for the support that they have shown me. The brothers told me to heal, get better take your time don’t rush it.”
Recovery looks like…
Marcus was discharged from the hospital on February 2nd. He participated in physical therapy twice a week at home. He told his wife he wanted to go to the Cupid 5k just to be present in the environment. His wife did the race. “I was standing there watching the runners for about 30 minutes. A few brothers walked up to me and told me to GET WELL SOON, I’M PRAYING FOR YOU. I didn’t know who these guys were. Then I later received a Facebook message letting me know who it was. It was 3 brothers from the Columbia chapter. I also received some greetings and support from Black Girls Run too. This really boosted my morale. We have this ongoing thing that we say, “yesterday’s pace is not today’s pace’. One of the brothers replied to me that this doesn’t just apply to running.
Marcus is now moving and grooving.
As of today, he has been hitting the treadmill. He has been doing intervals. He is making amazing progress. It is now the month of June. From his accident in December to his current physical state, you see determination and motivation. Being part of a fantastic chapter like Columbia, South Carolina has been a real blessing to Marcus, and he has no problem expressing that.
Welcome back to putting one foot in front of the other, brother Marcus.
