It's a metaphor repeated by many people who love the sport: Running is a lot like life. There are ups and downs, struggles and triumphs.
That journey applies to 23-year-old Ryan Roush, who lived with leukemia as a child, and now has a good chance to win the Akron half marathon Saturday morning.
Roush is also raising money to help sick children at Akron Children's Hospital, where he was treated.
"I know other people are going through hard things and because I've gone through that, I want to show people that they can get through their tough time, whatever it might be," Roush told News 5's Bob Jones during a recent run in downtown Akron.
When Roush was three-years-old, something started slowing him down. Medical testing revealed he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
"Even when you bring it up now, my parents are kind of like, you get upset about it," Roush said.
Spinal taps and chemotherapy followed over the next three years until he was cured at the age of six.
"Definitely makes you see that there's more of a purpose to everything you're doing," Roush said.
Winning that battle helped motivate Roush to become the elite runner that he is today.
In fact, when he lines up at the starting line on High Street, he'll be among the favorites to win the 13.1 mile race.
He's hoping to run the half marathon in one hour and seven minutes, which would average about 5:10 per mile.
However, his purpose runs much deeper. So far, Roush has raised about $2,000 through pledges. The money will assist the families of hospital patients.
Many "AC Heroes" will line the course to cheer for all of the runners. The heroes are current or former Akron Children's patients who have faced various health problems.
"It's time to give back a little bit to the community and to the people who helped me," Roush said.
For further inspiration, Roush trains in a shirt signed by many of the heroes.
While he hopes to cross the finish line in first place, Roush realizes he's already a winner after what life has thrown at him.
"You gotta keep going anyway because that's how life is," Roush said.
About 15,000 runners will take part in the 15th annual Akron Marathon, half marathon and team relay.
