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As Jeremy McCreary crossed the finish line of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Saturday morning, a uniform different from his running shoes and half marathon medal awaited him.
His racing career started at the 40th annual Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon, and he has competed in the race every year it has been held since then. This year, he went straight from the finish line to the baseball field to coach his son's Pinto league team.
McCreary said running the half marathon set his day up with a positive start.
"I mean, running a half marathon in the morning and then going to a Pinto baseball game actually just warms me up," he said. "I’m ready to go, and I’m ready to celebrate this evening."
"I obviously just crossed the finish line and am catching my breath," he continued. "I'll go to my car, throw some deodorant on, change into my jersey and hat and go coach some Pinto baseball."
McCreary lined up at the start with five full marathons under his belt. He competed in Columbus, Ohio, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and he said he plans on doubling that number.
"My goal is to run 10 marathons in 10 different large cities and have my family actually come with me so we can experience those cities," he said.
He hit a personal record in his half marathon time Saturday, completing the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Run in 1:44.
McCreary said his training process revolves around his family.
"I find myself getting up about 4 a.m. every morning to work out and get my miles in before work," he said. "I know that in the evenings, we have either baseball practice, softball practice or some sort of other activity for the kids."
He said it's important for him to find a balance between running and his family, even though it gets difficult at times.
"Finding a balance is challenging, but you kind of work it out and find out when you can get those miles in," he said.