Marjilea Smithheisler
Running enthusiast and Northern Oklahoma College student Brandon Hurst of Tonkawa achieved a long-standing goal of qualifying in the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 24 of this year, gaining eligibility to run in the Boston Marathon April 17, 2017. Hurst was accepted this past week to the Boston run and is officially entered to run.
The honor of qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a tedious task indeed. In order for Hurst to qualify, he had to accomplish the run in Oklahoma City in 3 hours, 5 minutes. He finished in 2 hours, 58 minutes, 41 seconds.
When asked how he felt as he came to the finish line, Hurst said, “Man, I got goose bumps when I came down the home stretch and saw people lined up on both sides.” Even as he crossed the finish line, he had no idea he had placed seventh overall but first in the men’s 20-24 age class.
He is going into the Boston Marathon with some competitive goals. He says, “I want to improve my time even further… I want to put Tonkawa on the map!”
Hurst grew up in the Tonkawa community and has won their support. He has spent a great amount of his life on the run. According to his interview with Jordan Evans of “Run Oklahoma,” he states, “I progressed through middle school very well and took up running quickly.”
He acquired many medals and accolades in his high school career as well. Some of his achievements include placing in all 39 of his track and cross country meets, placing second in the 2013 state cross country meet and first at the state meet in the 3200 meter relay event. He has received All-State honors in both track and cross country.
Hurst ran two years at Northwestern Oklahoma State University before he transferred to Northern. Around the time of January 2015, he made the decision to join the National Guard.
He feels much gratitude toward his family’s support, especially that of his parents, Derek, Sr. and Marty Hurst, as well as grandparents Mike Hankla, Jackie Mora, Debbie Rhea and Gene Hurst.
Brandon Hurst of Tonkawa, shown after his victory in his division of the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon last April, has been accepted as an official entrant in next year’s Boston Marathon. Hurst is a student at Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa.