Life as a runner is something that escaped lifelong Northwest Indiana resident Kathy Labus for years. Although competing in marathons, mini-marathons, 5K and 10K events has always been something members of her family have been passionate about for years - Kathy lost interest after being injured while competing on the Crown Point High School Cross Country team in the late 1980s.
It took awhile, but the drive to return to the running lifestyle came back in 2011, and without her 10-year-old twin boys, Andrew and William, Kathy’s return may never have occurred.
Kathy and her husband, Bob Labus, endured a sobering event more than a decade ago when Andrew and William were born 16 weeks premature. Although both survived after spending four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Chicago-area hospital, both boys have been living with cerebral palsy ever since. Kathy says that while William is able to function as a “typical performing child,” Andrew’s case is more severe. Limited in his ability to walk, Andrew does not have the use of his right hand, wears braces and is unable to walk at a regular pace.
But it was actually Andrew, and not the many of the other race-eccentric members of Kathy’s family, that drove her return to the sport.
“I made a promise that I would not run again unless my sons could be involved,” Kathy said.
So to make that happen, Kathy pushes Andrew in a wheel-chair for the during the races they compete in. So far, they have competed in a number of 5K and 10K events for about two years, beginning with the 2011 Turkey Trot in Valparaiso.
“It (the Turkey Trot) reminded me of how much I loved running in high school and how much joy it brought me,” Kathy said. “But I wasn’t going to do it without my kid - so I needed to find a way for him to participate.”
On September 29, Kathy and Andrew completed their most ambitious course to date - the 13.1-mile Merrillville Mini-Marathon.
“That was our ultimate goal,” Kathy said, pointing out that Andrew has aspirations to one-day complete a full marathon. “I’ve never even done a ½ marathon before Merrillville. And if I ever do a full one, it will be with him.”
Andrew is “very competitive” during the runs, his mother says. “He always has his music on, he is kinda known for that now. He has gotten to know many people, often high-fiving them during the race. He loves the social aspect of running and the competition it brings.”
And even with a limited ability to walk, during the final turn of every race, Andrew gets out of the wheel-chair and sprints to the finish line.
“That always stirs up a lot of emotions in people who aren’t expecting that,” Kathy said with a tear.
“We always hear from other runners the inspiration he brings. They say ‘if he can do it so can we,’”
And while Andrew will need help for the rest of his life, doctors who treated him in the NICU ten years ago are amazed at the strides he has made.
“They use Andrew’s story as an example of someone who has done better than anyone anticipated,” Kathy said. “He isn’t able to do everything others can, but he can hear me and see me and tell me he loves me.”
In addition to the inspiration she has brought countless other runners, taking part in the races has been more than just a way for Kathy and her sons to stay active and fit It has turned into a way for the family to spend time together.
Kathy’s father, Bob Hooper, has been a lifelong Marathon-runner, having competed in the Chicago Marathon several times. An avid runner, Hooper has been a member of the Calumet Striders for decades.
At 71, Hooper is unable to keep up the rapid pace he had during many of his years on the course but even after suffering a stroke, takes to the course, often at a slower pace alongside his grandson, William.
Kathy’s husband, Bob Lamus; mother, Louise and brother also participate in the races. Every now and then, Bob will push Andrew so Kathy can compete at her own rate.
Her goal, just like everyone else in the family, is to be running at age 71 - just like her father.
“Everyone is so positive,” she said. “ We all want to do it for as long as Dad has.”