Father-son team to run marathon with message about cystic fibrosis

HUNTSVILLE – North Alabama is regarded as one of the top destinations for the sport of running as runners look to the area for the chance to compete in top-notch races while being treated with Southern-style hospitality. Rob Runkle and his 15-year old son, Nolan, have heard about the running community of Huntsville and surrounding cities and towns and have chosen to run in the upcoming Rocket City Marathon while delivering their message of a person can run while dealing with cystic fibrosis.

“I enjoy running and letting people know there are no limitations as long as you try and I love knowing I can do this,” said Nolan, who is looking to the Rocket City Marathon as his third attempt at the 26.2-mile distance while being treated for the serious disorder that causes the body to produce a thick, sticky mucus that can lead to breathing and digestive issues. “I never thought cystic fibrosis is in my way. I don’t see it, it’s just a part of me.”

Rob and Nolan will make the trek down I-65 from their home in West Chester, Ohio, located 20 miles north of Cincinnati for their first visit to Huntsville. Rob has participated in 145 marathons with those races occurring in 27 different states along with stops in Greece and Ireland. Nolan looks to better his marathon time of 4:21 he posted last April in the Lexington (Kentucky) Marathon with his first marathon occurring in Oct. 2023 in Maine. Rob said he would love to break the five-hour time in the Rocket City and try and better his speed to try and keep up with Nolan, who has a history of getting better in everything he attempts and never offers an excuse.

Born to Rob and Megan Runkle in April 2009, Nolan was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis seven days after his birth and has gone through lifelong treatments to fight the disorder which causes breathing issues and lung and sinus infections. At age three, the young Runkle was sleeping before he woke up and could not breathe. Megan heard the commotion and immediately took Nolan to the hospital where he was found to be suffering from pneumonia. His body fought the infection that cystic fibrosis allowed to invade his lungs. Through hope and prayer Nolan overcame the serious breathing issues brought with the infection.

The treatments have included using a nebulizer to break up the thick mucus in the lungs and a vest machine which, he wears for less than hour each day, is used to help shake out the mucus. Nolan has also undergone an array of medication programs to assist, matter of fact, a new medicine program first used four years ago has been what Rob called “a game changer.”

“Nolan gets over colds much better now and he remains active by running for his school’s track and cross country programs,” said Rob. “He’s always been active as he has played soccer, basketball and swimming. He takes probiotics for his system control. He’s pancreatic proficient as a small percentage of cystic fibrosis patients have that situation where the pancreas does not function properly. Away from the race courses, Nolan is a certified lifeguard and carries a 4.35 grade point average while taking advance classes at Lakota West High School. He’s also a wiz when it comes to completing a Rubiks Cube with his fastest completion time of a mere 24 seconds. “I’m proud that me and some of my cross country teammates have visited elementary schools to assist with their running clubs,” said Nolan, who stands 5-foot-7 and weighs 155-pounds.

Nolan spoke of the challenge awaiting him in the Rocket City Marathon. He said, “I don’t know much about the course as I don’t like to study a course before I run. I want to be surprised and have fun going through the course that I don’t know. While in the run, there’s a lot that goes through my mind as the first 16 miles I think whatever comes to my mind, but in the last part of the race, numbers begin to go through my head and I think of the finish.”

“In our last marathon in Kentucky, I finished five miles ahead of dad,” said Nolan. “I sat in our car for an hour waiting on him to finish the race.”

Rob and spent numerous efforts to obtain special permission for Nolan to run in the marathon since he’s under age 18. He contacted the race director and after explaining their situation and desire to run in Huntsville, he received notification Nolan was good-to-go for the Dec. 15 race through parts of Huntsville.

“I was never much of an athlete growing up and I took to running to stay in shape and stay active as that began 30 years ago,” said Rob, 55, who stands 5-8 and tips the scales at 170-pounds and has a personal best marathon time of 3:06, which Rob admits came years ago. “Nolan and I go on long runs together and workout alone when our schedules don’t match.”

The 48th edition of the Rocket City Marathon will be a weekend prior to Nolan’s finals in school. He’s anxious to try his hand at the race that is known throughout the country as being fair and fast. “I know when I get to the start line in downtown Huntsville, the future is in my hands as all my focus will be that of going forward,” added Nolan. “Our other son also suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and we’ve learn through the time with Nolan how to best handle the situation,” said Rob.

As for Nolan, he’s aware his long fight against the genetic disorder, that can cause serious complications with the pancreas, is not over. His parents have endured life-changing situations with both of their children, but when they witness how Nolan has taken on this disorder, they see the efforts of someone special, and it seems he let everyone know when he was young, he would be special beyond words.

“When he was three years old, Nolan said to me, ‘Mama, these legs are made for running’,” said Megan.

Today, those legs carry more than just a dedicated young athlete as they also haul a message of hope.