‘Just keep running’

Hailing from Portmore, Tracey Cowan Richardson’s journey to helping build the Lymers Run Club was not as straightforward as one might think.

An Immaculate alumna, Tracey has always had to balance extracurricular activities with academics. Now, as a 45-year-old mother, she divides her time among parenting her son, working in the ICT industry and helping to manage the run club.

Her story doesn’t begin on the track, it started in the pool.

Tracey grew up as a swimmer.

“Running wasn’t part of my life during high school; swimming was my sport back then … I started running at age 25,” she explained.

During her years at Immaculate, Tracey trained almost every day and regularly competed in swim meets.

“Balancing sports and academics was heavily dependent on time management. I would go to school, then swimming, then home to study. Depending on my weaker subjects, I would carve out extra study time to keep up.”

After high school, Tracey decided to branch out.

“After high school and starting off in the working world, I decided it was time for a change, especially after doing swimming for so many years of my life. I needed another physical activity to keep healthy, and I decided to start running.”

Explaining why she chose running over another sport, Tracey said: “When I was younger, my dad and I would wake up early some mornings to do a few laps at a cricket field close to our house. I noticed that doing that kind of activity helped me sleep better, be more focused with my schoolwork, and kept me from feeling sluggish.”

As Tracey stepped into the world of running, the competitive spirit she developed through swimming never left her. Competing in her first race at age 25, she was eager for more, and her passion for running continued to grow.

“My very first race was the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run, and after crossing that finish line, I wanted to better my time at the next race. That desire to improve, race after race, is really where my passion for running began.”

BIGGEST INFLUENCE

Tracey’s passion was not only self-driven. The people in her life also pushed her to become the best version of herself. One of the biggest influences was the late Roy Thomas, affectionately known as ‘Daddy Roy’.

“Daddy Roy was a huge influence on my running journey. I still remember when I first met him. He beat me in a 5K, and I was honestly distraught. Here was a man over 40 years my senior, beating a young girl like me! But instead of discouraging me, it lit a fire. Every time I saw him after that, he’d say the same thing: ‘Just keep running.’ That simple phrase stuck with me and has pushed me to keep going.”

With 20 years of running experience under her belt, Tracey shared what continues to motivate her, even though the sport has become more demanding with age.

“Running today is so important to me because of the running community and the running family I’ve gained. My club sometimes creates challenges that push my body to its limit, but beyond the physical side, we encourage and look out for each other.”

She added that the community extends far beyond the road or track.

“Whenever anyone faces a challenge, whether it’s a medical issue or a death in the family, the running community shows up, and that lets the person know they’re not alone. And when there’s something to celebrate, like an academic achievement, a promotion, or even the birth of my son, they celebrate that with me too. Running isn’t just something I do, it’s part of my lifestyle.”

Tracey has participated in many races, including the Reggae Marathon about 10 times. Asked what keeps drawing her back, she said: “The participants and the spectators. While I do see members from the local clubs, it’s always great to meet new runners from other countries. Sometimes I’ll pace with them, and after the race, we have great conversations, sometimes about a running shoe, or the next race they’re planning to take part in. That gives me ideas about races overseas that I might want to try.”

In addition to meeting new people, Tracey has a special connection to the Reggae Marathon because the origins of the run club are tied to preparations for the event.

“The run club began when my coworkers at what was then LIME said they wanted to train for the Reggae Marathon in 2006, and now, Lymers Run Club is what we know it as today.”

With the Reggae Marathon around the corner, Tracey had a few words for future and returning participants. In the words of ‘Daddy Roy’, “Just keep running.”