Local marathon runner heading to Boston

David Sutton of Amherstburg will be competing in the Boston Marathon April 21.

An Amherstburg runner will be part of the Boston Marathon later this month, which is an accomplishment he has long worked for.

David Sutton will be running in the Boston Marathon April 21, his 13th marathon overall but his first in the famed Boston race.

“It sparked my interest in 2009,” said Sutton, of running a marathon. He was 21-years-old at the time. 

Sutton started training and in 2016, he had lost 60 pounds in preparation for running long races.

“I started to get serious about running,” he said.

Sutton was able to achieve the goal of getting to Boston last year thanks to his finish at another marathon in Ohio.

“You have to qualify,” Sutton explained. “I ran two hours, 51 minutes and 32 seconds in Toledo to qualify last April.”

Being a marathon runner hasn’t always been easy for him, as in addition to training for them, Sutton has had additional challenges over the years. 

Sutton had brain surgery when he was 19-years-old to control his epilepsy. 

Last September, he had mental health issues which he believes is related to his epilepsy.

“The first of the year, I got back on the horse and now we’re going to Boston,” he said. “After getting sick in September, I’m happy to get back at it.”

Getting to travel to the race is something Sutton has been looking forward to, as has his family.

“I’m super excited,” said Sutton. “My wife and kids are coming. My parents are coming. It will be nice to have them there for support.”

Sutton is hoping for a time somewhere in the range of three hours and 30 minutes to three hours and 45 minutes.

Now that he has qualified for Boston, Sutton would like to compete in other major marathons around the world.

“One day, I’d like to run all the world marathons, but right now, my priority is raising my kids and spending time with family,” he said.

Overcoming the challenges he has and still accomplishing goals and running marathons is something he hopes inspires others, especially his children. 

Sutton hopes to send messages that people can accomplish their goals if they set their minds to it, to always believe in yourself and to not let others define what a person is capable of.

Local marathon runner heading to Boston

By Ron Giofu