news-record.com

Colfax's Phil McNeill, above, might be the area's Most Inspirational Runner because of his fitness. Or because of his athletic achievements, first as a basketball player at Appalachian State and now nearly four decades later as a 60-year-old runner, cyclist and swimmer.

We like McNeill as Most Inspirational not just for those things, but also because of his grace.

From Bob Dunbar's nomination of McNeill, on behalf of several other athletes:

"2011 was a year in which Phil McNeill inspired. But it was also year in which he nearly expired -- from serious injuries sustained when he was run over by a vehicle during a solo cross training bicycle ride.

"After playing college basketball, McNeill became a distance runner. He completed approximately 75 marathons, including the 100th Boston Marathon and 20 Grandfather Mountain marathons. He also finished an ultramarathon (Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie 50-miler) and a full Ironman triathlon (Duke Blue Devil Triathlon).

"McNeill discovered that cycling is the best cross training for aging runners whose legs sometimes become injured by running too many miles. He began to ride regularly and impressed his running pals by becoming an accomplish cyclist, completing many century rides and rides across the states of North Carolina and Iowa.

"The cycling accident (in September 2010) violently knocked McNeill off his bike and onto the road and underneath the vehicle. He recalls seeing the axle of the vehicle pass over his head. Thankful for surviving the collision, McNeill began an extended recovery from his injuries – a broken leg and multiple blood clots. Physicians concluded that McNeill’s extraordinarily high level of fitness prevented him from suffering more severe injury or dying as a result of the accident.

"When McNeill gradually resumed running, he began to struggle with breathing -- even on easy runs. Further examinations showed more blood clots caused by the accident that have necessitated exercise precautions and limitations. By November 2011, McNeill had recovered sufficiently to run the North Carolina Marathon’s half-marathon race (1:50:54).

"The inspiring part of McNeill’s story is the extraordinary grace and faith with which he handled the life-threatening accident and his courageous recovery from it. He immediately and completely forgave the driver of the vehicle that seriously injured him in the accident – no anger, no legal stuff. He was deeply thankful to God for protecting him from more serious injury or death. He faithfully trusted God for healing. He vulnerably depended on family and friends for encouragement and support.  
Extraordinary grace and faith, immediate and complete forgiveness, deep thankfulness, faithful trust in God and vulnerable dependence on others are very inspirational things for runners – and for everyone – to see lived out. In 2011, Phil McNeill inspired us to be better runners -- and better people."

And Running Shorts also salutes these nominees for most honorable mention:

Will Caviness: Caviness, the Greensboro firefighter who collapsed near the end of the Chicago Marathon and later died, ran the 26.2-mile race while raising funds for the International Association of Fire Fighters' Burn Foundation. On the eve of the race in October, Caviness posted on his Facebook page that he had surpassed his goal of $2,000. In the days after his death, runners and others across the country, saddened by his death but inspired by how he was helping others, pushed the total to nearly $20,000.

Susan Robbins: Robbins, 47, of Advance, began her running career about seven years and 100 pounds ago. Actually, her running career started as walking, coupled with a Weight Watchers program. She entered a 5K, got hooked and soon began jogging the race distances. Then she entered as many races as she could find -- 39 in one year. Like many runners, Robbins has battled injuries over time -- heel fracture, bone spurs, plantar fasciitis. But this year she has run more than 1,000 miles and also competed with a  team that finished second in the masters division at the USATF 10K Trail Championships in Laurel Springs.