Hayden Laycock, 18, has been a Nationwide Children’s Hospital patient since before he was born.
A cardiologist diagnosed the developing infant with a congenital heart block prenatally at 21 weeks, and Laycock was delivered just nine weeks later via emergency C-section. He received his first pacemaker at four days old.
Today, Laycock is a senior at Grandview Heights High School. He is a member of the school’s volleyball team, participates in theater and even plays video games competitively through the school’s e-sports program.
Laycock is just one of the 10 Marathon Mile Champions from central Ohio who will be featured along the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon course on Oct. 18. Each of the 24 total Champions are given their own
mile of the race to celebrate the courage and perseverance they’ve exemplified on their individual recovery journeys.
Laycock’s mother, Sabrina, said before going to Nationwide Children’s, she saw another specialist who told her Laycock’s chance of survival was 0%. She’s forever grateful she got a second opinion from the specialists at Children’s.
“They didn't give me false hope, but they gave me hope that as long as his heart kept beating, we would keep fighting for him,” Sabrina said.
Putting every mile in perspective
The Columbus Marathon has taken over the city’s streets nearly every year since 1980, but the iconic Marathon Mile Champions didn’t become a part of the event until it forged a partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2012.
In his 17 years as race director, Darris Blackford has seen just how much of an impact the Mile Champions have on the community.
“You really think when you're running or walking, I am doing this for fun, even though maybe I'm hurting at this moment, but those kids are going through real life challenges,” Blackford said. “And if I'm struggling at mile 22 of a marathon, well, boo-hoo, that kid is going through some real hard stuff. I can get through this challenge.”
From cancer patient to Mile Champion
Quentin Halsey, 9, will also be motivating athletes as a Marathon Mile Champion this year.
On Halloween in 2021, Lindsey Halsey noticed her 4-year-old son Quentin felt warmer than usual. She never imagined a simple fever would lead to a diagnosis that would turn her family’s life upside down.
It all happened so quickly. The fever persisted for days without any additional symptoms. When the Halseys took their son to his pediatrician, a lump was discovered under his ear. The next stop was Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where Halsey was diagnosed with Burkitt leukemia. Because the rare blood cancer is so aggressive, he was immediately fitted with a port and began chemotherapy.
Nearly five years later, thanks to the quick action and treatment Halsey received at Nationwide Children’s, he’s a happy, healthy nine-year-old in the maintenance phase of his treatment who loves Pokémon, building LEGO sets and mountain biking with his parents and sister.
A full-circle moment
Lindsey said a month before Halsey was admitted to the hospital, she ran the Columbus Half Marathon. She ran it again the following year nearly six months after his port was removed.
“That time in 2022 was certainly emotional and it was really wonderful to experience it from the other side. This is like, full circle for me,” she said.
Lindsey said Halsey’s primary oncologist, Dr. Anthony Audino, also runs the half marathon every year. She ran into him at the finish line in 2022 while wearing a shirt she made for the occasion featuring a special message:
“To the doctors and nurses on the 12th floor… thank you for saving my son.”
Laycock is equally grateful and honored to be named a Marathon Mile Champion. He hopes his story will provide much-needed motivation for marathon attendees both on and off the course.
“If I can do all of this and be so active and play sports and have long, long days – and I don't have part of my heart – you better be able to, all right?” Laycock said.
“Just keep going. The other side is there, absolutely. Trust me.”
Reporter Kelly Tucker can be reached at ktucker@dispatch.com.
This article was made possible by support from the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation, which has partnered with The Columbus Dispatch to profile those making our community a better place. Help us lift up inspiring stories of kindness by suggesting people, initiatives, or organizations to feature by emailing kindness@dispatch.com. The Dispatch retains full editorial independence for all content. Learn more at Dispatch.com/Kindness.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Marathon Mile Champions remind runners what perseverance means
