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.