SUITLAND, Md. — Athletes of all shapes, sizes and abilities came out for the annual CU Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run earlier this month, but one credit union CEO's participation in the race stood out from the rest.
The fact that Andrews FCU CEO Chris McDonald won his division would be reason enough that his being in the race sparked some interest — but then there's also the fact that he completed the 10-mile race in a wheelchair.
Credit Union Journal caught up with McDonald after the race to talk with him about the Cherry Blossom Run and his marathon habit.
Credit Union Journal: What made you want to be a part of the Cherry Blossom 10 mile run this year?
McDonald: I moved to DC just about a year ago and this is a national race and it looked like a wonderful race.
CUJ: When did you start racing? What kind of finishes did you manage to record in those races?
McDonald: I ended up in this whole process accidentally. My son challenged my wife to run in the Houston Marathon, and to entice her I said 'if you do it, I'll do it.' So it was the fall of 2007 that I got into this business. Last year I did a couple marathons-the Houston Marathon and the Texas Marathon and I've done a couple other smaller races prior to that. At my age and stage it's a race with yourself that's what you're looking for. You're not looking to beat anybody else, but I was very pleased with myself. Sitting behind a desk all day, I'm obviously not a young athlete.
CUJ: You started racing competitively with a marathon? That's some feat!
McDonald: I was injured in an industrial accident 25 years ago and was not really an athlete prior to the accident. With a wheelchair, you still have to train and focus. [Prior to the marathon] I did a couple 10Ks, I did a 30K, and then I did the first and second marathons. What I have found is that it was a way to go back and compete physically; I hadn't been in that arena in a long time. Ever since I was in the accident and I lost my legs, it was an area I never focused on. Now to have an avenue where I can push myself. It was fun in that respect, but I attribute the whole process more to stubbornness than to physical ability.
CUJ: You finished far ahead of the other wheelchair competitor in the Cherry Blossom Run and versus the rest of the field, you would have finished 47th. Do consider that to be a good showing?
McDonald: It's almost unfair to compare a wheelchair athlete to other athletes. We're in a class by ourselves, when we race it's a different group of muscles. So it's not fair to them.
CUJ: So was participating in the Cherry Blossom Run about promoting the credit union or was it more for yourself?
McDonald: We had 10 people that were runners and another 25 that were volunteers at the race. Prior to this race, this was something I was able to keep completely separate from my work life. But with such a high profile race, that was going to be difficult because people were going to recognize me. So I had to make the decision do I go out and officially do this, but it was really not to do something for the credit union; I knew it would be a fun race. It's a beautiful venue, the trees were beautiful. I enjoy it and I enjoy it because it's a good cardiovascular exercise and that's something I never had before. I'd like to try and stay active in it but I'm going to do it for fun.
