Zach Myers, Class of 2015, has extended his love for running well past his MAHS Track experience. On the weekend of November 19-20, 2022, Myers participated in the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend along with approximately 50,000 other runners. The course wove its way through the Historic District, which Myers recognized from a school field trip, and bordered the Schuykill River.
The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend was sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) which held a personal connection for Myers. He ran in memory of his mother who recently lost her battle with cancer. Myers was one of only a handful of runners who ran for an individual cause to raise funds for AACR.
Three separate races were held over the two days: 8K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. For those who wanted to really push themselves, the “Freedom Challenge” included all 3 races. Only 106 runners participated in the Freedom Challenge and Myers was one of them. On Saturday, he ran the 13.1 half marathon and the 8k. Sunday was the big race and the weather decided to make the challenge even more difficult. Frigid temperatures and 15 mph winds met the runners head on. “At one point I had to stop at a rest station because my one hand and arm were completely numb,” said Myers. A fact that he admitted probably should have eliminated him from the race. But he pushed through to complete his 3rd race and ended his weekend with a total of 44.12 miles under his feet. Myers walked away with four medals, one for each race and one for completing the Freedom Challenge.
Zach Myers was hesitant to share this accomplishment; he’s not the kind of person who likes the spotlight. When he’s not running, he is making sure all MASD employees get paid in his role as Payroll and Benefits Accountant at MASD. We are proud of Myers as both an alumnus of MAHS and a current employee; and he certainly made his mother proud, too.
