“I’ve learned that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind;
a state of mind that says anything is possible.”
John Hanc, author and marathoner.
Seamus Hodgkinson (Mr. H, as he is adoringly known by Middle Schoolers) is a pillar of the Doane Stuart community. He and his wife, Patty, are the Middle School Co-Coordinators. Seamus teaches science and math in the Middle School, coaches modified soccer and cross-country and is the parent of three DS graduates (Catie ’97, Bridget ‘06 and Dan ’12). Mr. H. is well known for his passion for teaching and working with kids, his love of soccer, his admiration for Einstein and his incredible prowess as a long distance runner.
On Sunday, November 1, Mr. H completed the TCS New York City Marathon in 4 hours and 21 minutes. A marathon, on its own and completed by someone at any age, is an impressive feat. For Mr. H, this was his 11th New York City Marathon, the first of which he ran in 1982. Wow! But even more impressive than that is the fact that this was his 47th marathon since running that first one 33 years ago! Oh, and don’t forget to count a few ultramarathons in there, too. That averages out to almost 1½ marathons a year over a 33-year period. That is 33 years of grueling training in the heat and cold. It is thousands of hours and millions of footsteps beat into the pavement and parks of the Capital District. It takes focus, discipline, athletic ability and sacrifice. A marathon doesn’t simply happen; it takes incredible dedication and work that is both mentally and physically challenging. “The most meaningful part is the self-discipline,” explains Mr. H. “Putting in the demanding hours, after school, soccer practice or cross country. I am proud of that.”
As part of his training, Mr. H would routinely run home from the Doane Stuart campus in Rensselaer to his house in Delmar. He has seen quite a bit of change in Albany as well as New York City over these 33 years. “I decided to do the New York City marathon in 1982 because a bunch of friends were doing it. It sounded neat,” explains Mr. H. “The NYC Marathon was much smaller then, it was more of a community event. It still has something special to it; it is a spectacle. I have the chance to see a city in a way that one never really gets to see it; the crowds, and running through the different boroughs. It is a pilgrimage.”
Congratulations! Of course the conversation turned to marathon #50. I asked Mr. H what he might plan on doing for that. He said he would love to do something international – he hasn’t done that yet. Maybe London or Dublin, he isn’t sure yet. But don’t think that Mr. H is taking it easy in the meantime. In only 10 days’ time, on Saturday, November 21, Mr. H will run the 53rd Annual JFK Race, in Maryland and Virginia. This will be his third running of this race, one that is held in honor of another one of his heroes, John F. Kennedy. The race also happens to be the nation’s oldest and largest ultramarathon. 50 Miles. That takes a whole different mindset and self-discipline.
Seamus, we are in awe of your running accomplishments! Good luck and best wishes!
Visit www.jfk50mile.org for more information