Tom Fish: From Nighttime Runs to the Boston Marathon
When Tom Fish laced up his first pair of running shoes at the age of 44, he couldn’t have
imagined where the journey would take him. What started as a way to stay active in response to a
sedentary job eventually led him to qualify for one of the most prestigious races in the
world—the Boston Marathon.
Though some may not have heard of him, Tom is a local legend, striding the streets of
Manhattan, Kansas, for over a decade. I had the privilege of interviewing him because his story
is one of perseverance and determination—one that proves you don’t have to be a lifelong runner
to achieve extraordinary goals. His journey serves as a testament that with dedication and hard
work, anything is possible.
The Beginning: A Nighttime Runner Turned Community Athlete
Tom never considered himself a dedicated runner. He was always active, but when he
transitioned to a less physically demanding job, he felt the need to move more. That’s when he
turned to running. He started by running at night, the best time for him to get in his miles.
After sticking to this routine for a while, Tom discovered the Manhattan Running
Company and noticed they had a run club that met around the same time he ran. “What’s better
than running with other people?” he thought. He decided to join, and from that moment on, he
was hooked.
Advice and Insight: “Start Slow”
The best advice Tom has ever received is simple yet powerful: “Start slow.” This wisdom
applies to both training and race day. Going out too fast can drain energy quickly and prevent
you from performing at your best. Additionally, pushing too hard at the start of a training journey
increases the risk of injury. His message is clear—patience and consistency are key.
Future Goals: The Ultra Challenge
Many would think that qualifying for Boston would be the pinnacle of Tom’s running
career, but he’s not stopping there. Next up for Tom is “The Hawk,” his first 50-mile
ultramarathon. His focus now is on increasing his mileage and determining a realistic goal time.
With the help of his new training coach, he plans to take on this next challenge with the same
dedication that got him to Boston.
The Takeaway: Set Goals and Stay Determined
You don’t need to be the fastest runner in the world—you just need a goal and the
determination to reach it. There’s no reason to rush; take things one step at a time, trust the
process, and stick to the plan. If you believe in your training, you will succeed.
If you ever want to pick Tom’s brain about running or hear more of his insights, you can
find him out running every Saturday morning at 7 A.M. Follow MHK Runners on Facebook to
see the routes and join him on the journey.
