By Mark D Belter – Entrepreneur, Family Man, Devoted Husband
What is running?
To me, it’s different for everyone. For some, it’s a sport. For others, it’s therapy. For me, it became a journey—one that started unexpectedly and grew into a lifelong connection with people, places, and purpose.
A long time ago, I was a mortgage broker. I did a loan for a guy who casually asked, “Do you want to go jogging?” I said sure—why not? That random jog became the start of a love/hate relationship with running—and a great friendship. That guy was Fred, my very first running buddy. We ran together weekly and even traveled to Florida for the Marine Corps Half Marathon. The miles we logged turned into something more meaningful than just fitness—it was friendship.
After that, a childhood friend of mine, Timmy, and I began running together. We ran more than Forrest Gump! We ran and ran and ran!! Miles and miles. We not only trained running around town, through parks, 5k’s, tracks, 10 milers, and half marathons. We ran in heat, wind, cold, rain, and snow! We ran on Holidays, we ran through life. Those runs became our therapy sessions—filled with laughter, deep talks, and life’s highs and lows. Without running, we’d still be friends—but we wouldn’t have shared those unforgettable memories. Timmy was my second running buddy.
Then there was Scott, a buddy from high school. He had never run before, but we started slow. Scott was not a runner in the least but I really was not either when I started. IN our first jog, I talked him through that first mile—until he said, “Would you shut up and stop talking? I can’t breathe!” A month later, he was the one doing all the talking on a six-mile run. Not long after, Scott was diagnosed with ALS. We didn’t get years of running together, but we had that short, powerful chapter. And it meant a lot.
Over the years, I’ve had many running buddies—but my forever favorite is my wife. We started running together in 2009. We’ve run through stroller-pushing chaos, double stroller in Rock N roll half marathon, cold-weather Santa Hustles, and the blazing hot over the bridges in Florida. Every July 4th we run a 5K—what started as just us has now grown to include our three boys. Some of my favorite memories are finishing a run together, walking hand in hand, sweaty and smiling, saying “Good job, babe.”
We’ve run in Cleveland ½ Marathon, Hills of Montana, Santa Hustle through Cedar Point, and everywhere in between. Together we’ve logged so many miles—and even more memories.
Some Races that pop in my head that I have done: the Santa Hustle, Skeleton Run, Freedom Run, Rock ‘n’ Roll Half, Buckeye Half, Cleveland Half, Inland Trail Half, Marine Corps Half, Holly Run, Turkey Trots, Reindeer Runs—and my favorite of all, The Perfect 10-Miler.
Running has brought people into my life, strengthened friendships, built new ones, and helped me see the world one step at a time.
Running is more than running. Anyone can do it—just put one foot in front of the other. It’s simple, but it’s powerful.
Start with a walk. Sign up for a 5K. Who knows? You just might fall in love with it too.
My best run for personal best I posted my Bib and results. The Cleveland ½ Marathon at 34 years old ran it in 1hr 42mins 7 secs. A 7:47 mile pace!!
I hope to come close to that one more time!
