City police officer will be running his 26.2 miles in Afghanistan
By KEVIN GRAY
Staff Sports Writer
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 Share on Facebook
MORE THAN 1,600 runners will participate in Sunday's Manchester City Marathon/Half Marathon, and Theodore "TJ" Stevens will make 64 laps around a military camp in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
The Manchester police officer plans to carry the American flag for 26.2 dusty miles, alongside a 14-foot concrete wall and armed guard towers. The temperature may reach 90 degrees as Stevens follows a trail of dirt, crushed rock and pavement.
"In my mind, I'll be running through my home town on a pleasant fall day, through Livingston Park," Stevens said via e-mail, "over the hills of the West Side and through St. Anselm College where the students come out and cheer."
Stevens may be stationed 7,000 miles away -- helping mentor and train Afghan police -- but he's officially registered to run in Manchester. He'll wear bib No. 83 in honor of police officer Michael Briggs, whose badge and shield number also are tattooed on Stevens' right forearm.
In 2006, two weeks before Briggs was shot and killed in a Manchester alley, he made an off-the-cuff remark that pushed Stevens to begin training for marathons.
Stevens vowed to someday run the Boston Marathon, to which another officer replied, "That will never happen."
Briggs, upon hearing the conversation inside the Manchester PD locker room, quipped: "You can make excuses or you can make results. You can't do both!"
So began a marathon journey for Stevens, now 33.
Struggling with the loss of his friend days after the tragedy, Stevens laced up his lawn-mowing sneakers and ran two loops around the airport in Manchester. The former U.S Army infantry scout had never run more than six or seven miles, but that day he banged out 14.4 on a cathartic excursion.
"I had blisters, lost two toenails, and my mind was clearer," said Stevens, a 1993 graduate of Raymond High.
He kept running, no distance too long.
►IN TODAY'S PRINT EDITIONS: A map of the marathon course, a viewer's guide, and a runner's perspective of the course from the Union Leader's 'NH Runner' columnist Maureen Milliken.
> Official Manchester City Marathon/Half-Marathon Web site.
> Click here to view the Union Leader's gallery of photos from the 2008 marathon.
Twice he jogged from Boston to Manchester as part of the Officer Michael Briggs Memorial Ride. Other participants take bicycles on the 55-mile route, but Stevens doesn't own a bike and opts for an overnight run.
"He needed to do more than ride," his wife, Danielle, said. "He went from being a fit person -- but not running at all -- to the point I was dropping him off in Boston (at Faneuil Hall), and, sure enough, he ran home all night."
Danielle and infant son, Theo, were TJ's only support on that first Boston-to-Manchester trip, providing Gatorade, chocolate chip cookies and other goodies with five miles remaining.
"Total mental and physical breakdown," is how Stevens describes the experience. "My wife said, 'I'll ask you to get in (the car) and go home, but I know the answer'."
Stevens later ran the Boston and Manchester marathons, carrying a flag and hearing chants of "USA, USA," and tapping into an unlimited reserve of inspiration.
Two-year-old Theo Stevens and his mom, Danielle, look at albums with photos of his dad, TJ, yesterday. TJ, a Manchester police officer, is working as a civilian contractor in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, training Afghan police for a year. This Sunday he will run his own personal marathon since he can't participate in the Manchester City Marathon (BOB LAPREE)
"I have been all around the world and have learned three things: Danielle and Theo are my life. Never forget family, friends and those you honor. I am proud to be an American," said Stevens, who left for Afghanistan July 18 and is scheduled to return home Dec. 18. "I run because it brings me closer to these three things."
The flag-bearing marathoner ran Manchester in a speedy 3 hours, 21 minutes, 47 seconds last year. His proud wife and 2-year-old son again will be at the finish line on Elm Street this year.
"It's like we'll be waiting to see that flag come around the corner, but unfortunately we'll be missing that," Danielle said. "It's still a good feeling to know he's doing something that he loves doing at home."
And Stevens won't be alone when crossing the finish line in Afghanistan.
"(In my mind), I'll finish up running down Hanover Street, making the left turn onto Elm, where I will again meet my wife and son for a kiss."
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TJ! Good luck with your race! My brothers and I miss you! My mom and I are cheering you on!
- Chelsea Howard, Laconia
TJ, I am reading this story with tears streaming down my face. Our Alan DelMastro, Jr. was also a police officer and loved to run....after 26 LONG months, he returned from serving in Iraq, he was welcomed home with OPEN arms from the Manchester, New Hampshire people and many others that loved him so much! Sadly, Alan died 4 months later in a car accident but his love will always be with us. My two daughters and I want to personally thank you from the bottom of our hearts for serving our country and supporting others in such a special way!! God bless you in your run and know that we are "cheering" for you...even from KOREA!!
- Trudi DelMastro, Seoul, S. Korea
What an inspirational & heartwarming story! I don't know T.J. or his family, but I am proud of his accomplishments and that he has been able to take such a terrible loss and turn it into positive momentum. Thank you to both he and his family for your service, dedication, and sacrifice.
- Shannon, Manchester
Interesting that when such a positive, truly patriotic/ community-based story about the accomplishments of a police officer are highlited in the UL there are only 14 comments. In contrast, an article about an officer in Epping recently suspended receives 60 viewer comments?! Thank-you TJ for enduring the physical and emotional challenges of your own personal marathon which is a tribute to our city. Will be thinking of you as I run through those trails in Livingston Sunday...good luck!
- Brenna, Portsmouth
I do not know TJ personally, but it is evident the kind of person he is through this article. Thank you, TJ, for the service you give to your community and to our country. You inspire those who face adversities. Salutations and a safe return.
- Christine Rice, Concord
Thanks to Kevin Gray and the Union Leader for the lovely article written about my husband. I will be terribly sad to not see him cross that finish line on Sunday but to have so many people have him in their thoughts brings a giant smile to my face. Thank you for reposting the picture from last years marathon, what a fantastic memory that is for my family of three. TJ, Theo and I love and miss you. We are beaming with pride.
- Danielle Stevens, Manchester
As a resident of Manchester, NH, and citizen of the United States of America, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the service you provide each and everyday to the US and the City of Manchester. You are a true American hero and are an inspiration to all!!! Good luck on Sunday and God bless you and your Family.
- Michael, Manchester
I am so proud of my older brother, TJ. He is the most patriotic person. He lives for his family (first and for most), his country and the city of Manchester. He strives to be the best man he can be. I beleive that he has accomplished this and much more.
- Marie Stevens, Antrim
God bless TJ for his selfless service to our city and nation, and may God bless his beautiful family for their service and sacrifice, too. They and all of our military and military families are in our thoughts and prayers. TJ- I'll walk the Livingston path today and say a special prayer for you, John and all your buddies.
- Mary, Manchester
TJ, enjoy your run. We love & miss you.
- Smiegal, Nashua
As someone who knows TJ, I'm not suprised by this act. TJ has always been a great person and someone who when puts his mind to something gets it done. I'm glad to hear TJ is doing great over seas and will be running with everyone on sunday. Thanks TJ for making this country, your department and family so proud. Come home soon and safe and hold your flag up high.
#83
- MPD, Manchester, NH
A true patriot! You make us all proud!
- Craig D, Manchester
What a great story Union Leader, thank you! TJ, you are an inspiration and I thank you for your service to our Nation!
- Bill Ganley, Salem
I am proud and honored to call TJ, Danielle and Theo friends. Better people can not be found!
- Lea Garretson, Manchester, NH
I'll be in Afghanistan in February. I only wish I was going earlier to run with TJ. Being a Manchester native as well it would be an honor to run with such a true American. GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!!
- Rick, Manchester
I had the privilege of running with TJ last year. He thought I might need the company on a 40-mile fundraising run. He helped me get through a tough physical challenge with quiet inspiration. And - despite sub-freezing temperatures and snow flurries - he carried the US flag in his ungloved hands for over 7 hours.
Thanks for reminding us about TJ. We'll be thinking about him on Sunday during the Manchester Marathon.
- Ron Abramson, Concord, NH
Way to go TJ...............we are so proud of you. We will miss you at the finish line, But Danielle and Theo will be there as if you were coming across that finish line.............I will be there too. Danielle I hope to see you and Theo there, been a long time.................I miss working with you.........the PD misses TJ
- Donna, Manchester NH
I work with TJ here in Kandahar. He is an inspiration to all of us. His love and dedication to his family, friends and country are something for us all to look up to. He is always positive, regardless of the adversity. He is a man I will always admire and a friend I will always cherish.
John Metts
- John Metts, Gaylord, Michigan