Video: John Hyland runs a special 5K in Morris Township
There were cheers at Saturday’s Celebrate Morris Township 5K for winner Karl O’Reilly, and for 17-year-old Matthew Norton, who organized the race for his Eagle Scout project.
But the loudest ovation was reserved for one of the slowest finishers, and with good reason: John Hyland received a bone marrow transplant just four weeks earlier.
“I’m really blessed to actually be standing here, running, in this field, so quickly,” said Hyland, dripping with sweat moments after completing the race at the Loantaka Brook Reservation with his wife Kristin and their children Kelsey, 16, Patric, 14, and Kieran, 11. His mom, former Township Mayor Kathleen Ginty Hyland, cheered from the sidelines.
John Hyland, a former Iron Man triathlete, is battling a form of leukemia that is a byproduct of his treatment for an earlier bout with the disease.
On Good Friday last month, he received a transplant of bone marrow donated by a 26-year-old from Germany.
“I feel good,” said Hyland, 48, who ran the race wearing a breathing mask and rubber gloves, to ward off infections. “By and large, I’ve bounced back pretty quick, even though doctors are saying it’s going to fade out soon and it’s going to be a little more difficult. I’m in kind of a euphoria phase. They told me I should enjoy it, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
His message for others facing tough illnesses:
“Never give up. There’s always a chance. You have to have hope. And I think what gets you through times like this, for me, is the people around you, and community and family. That’s it. I couldn’t do it without everybody.”
Hyland and about 200 other runners enjoyed a smooth experience thanks to Norton, a Morristown High School junior who put together the entire race, with some help from town Administrator Tim Quinn and Superhero Events.
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“He seems like a real quality kid doing something for a great cause,” Hyland said. “When kids start getting involved with good causes early on in life, I think that’s just tremendous.”
Norton estimated that the race, which celebrated the Township’s 275th anniversary, will generate $4,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. He seeks Scouting’s highest rank–Eagle–as a member of a Boy Scout Troop chartered by the Morristown Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
After months of planning, Norton said he was pretty confident in the final hours before Mayor Dan Caffrey gave runners the start command.
“People didn’t think I would sleep last night [on the eve of the race]. But I easily could have slept in,” Norton insisted as he waited for the first runners to cross the finish line. His crew of 30 volunteers included his mom, Tracy. His dad, Jeffrey, and brother, Zachary, ran the race, and so did his girlfriend — Kelsey Hyland.
Chris Russo, co-founder of Superhero Events, was impressed by the turnout.
“The kid did a great job. He got 200 people for his first race, when most are lucky to get 80. We’d be happy to have him at Superhero Events any day of the week,” said Russo, who emceed the Celebrate Morris Township 5K.
Town Recreation Director Bill Foelsch praised Norton for arranging picture-perfect spring weather. Quinn, the Township administrator, hailed Norton’s “wonderful” performance.
“He put his heart and soul into this and did a fabulous job,” Quinn said. “He worked very, very hard, and had a lot of help from his mom and dad.”
Erin Bauberger, a 31-year-old Morristown runner who took top honors in the ladies division with a 21:40 time, gave high marks to the course.
“Awesome!” she said. “I would love to do it again!”
Norton will have to think that over.
“I don’t know,” he said, when asked if he would like to organize another race. “I don’t want to think about it right now!”
MORE ABOUT THE ‘CELEBRATE MORRIS TOWNSHIP 5K’
An indoor spinning event in honor of John Hyland will raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society between 8 am and noon on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at the NBD Training Zone, 40 W. Park Place, Morristown. Donations are $35 per ride. To reserve a bike call Pedal for a Cure at 908-625-6637.
