Running with the angels: A Marathoner’s Tribute
With every mile run, Dr. Tia Larson is fueled by love and the enduring power of memory.
Larson, a physician with Stellis Health, in Buffalo, is a seasoned marathon runner who isn’t just known for her endurance and commitment to the sport. What truly sets her apart is what she carries with her across the finish line, photographs of her cherished loved ones, in what she calls, “running with the angels.”
The photographs she carries are the faces of family and friends who have passed away but hold a dear and special place in her heart, smiling with her every step of the way. “You really do, you think about them,” Larson stated, regarding the photos she carries during races.
Tia began carrying photos in 2022, after friend, Marlys Jacobs, passed away. Marlys’ daughter, Jolene Huston, told Tia that no matter how sick her mother got towards the end of her life, when asked how she was doing, Marlys would respond, “Well, I feel like I could run a marathon.” Those words became the inspiration behind “running with the angels.”
Tia began running marathons at age 36, and has since completed 25 races, each one at the well-known and popular Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. Next month, on June 21, Larson will compete in her 26th Grandma’s Marathon with plans to run a 27th. “This will be my 26th. If I get to mile five on my 27th, I can say that’s 26.2 marathons. We’ll see if I call it good at that point. I always enjoyed running. I didn’t think about doing longer distances until I was in medical school.”
The first Grandma’s Marathon was held in 1978, which Larson contemplated training for but shared that with raising a young family, her first marathon experience was put on hold for more than a decade. “I did my first [marathon] in ‘92.” The following year, Larson posted her best time of 3 hours and 52 minutes.
Over the years, Larson has altered her training regime to fit the stage of life she found herself in. “At my age, what I find that works for me is that I only run long, and I only run two days a week.” As race day approaches, Larson works to increase her training distances to prepare her body for the extra endurance requirements. “I need to get a couple twenty’s [miles] in before the race. That way I can heal.”
Larson eagerly shares her enthusiasm for the sport of distance running. “It’s so fun, and anybody can do it if you just do your homework.” For those looking to dip their toes into the world of distance running, Larson recommends the “Competitive Runner’s Handbook” by Bob Glover.
While training locally, Larson often runs the path between Buffalo and Montrose. “Whoever came up with that, I want to thank them. When I’m out running, I don’t bring music with me or put it in my ears. I ponder my problems, solve anything unresolved, sing music in my head, look at animals. It’s a time when your brain can just free-associate.”
Marathon runners come from all walks of life, from young to old, connected by a passion for the sport. Building community and connection helps runners stay motivated mile-after-mile, as encouragement is much needed in an endurance event such as marathon running.
“What’s fun about it is that there is a whole variety of people all participating in the same event. Everybody is happy. It’s a lot of fun. Where else can you have a world champion and a little old lady grandma on the same poster.” Larson stated, in reference to the cover of the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon Guide featuring world champion wheelchair athlete Johnboy Smith in the lower left corner, with Tia pictured in the lower right.
Encouragement can come from a variety of sources, even ones we cannot see but know are in our hearts, lifting us up every step of the way. As a gesture for crossing the finish line with her, Tia enlarges the photos of each angel she carries and awards them their finishing medal. Come June, the angels will once again be running alongside Tia as she crosses the finish line of another marathon. “My main goal is to honor these people and encourage the sport.”
