Robert Davies and his daughter Kayla have been running together since 2013, a tradition that’s sacred to both father and daughter.
“We trained together every step of the way,” said Davies on the pair’s first Marine Corps Historic Half. “In the early years, we typically warmed up a full mile and then every half mile we took a small walking break. The point wasn’t for her to get a specific time, but rather to enjoy the race journey, high five every Marine on the course and earn her shirt and medal.”
“Nowadays she’s far faster than me,” he continued. “But we still line up together and run a mile or two together before she takes off to conquer the course at her speed. I was, and still am, in awe of her persistence and personal perseverance.”
Davies initially got into running in 2010 for his health and to set an example for his family. Since then he’s participated in 10 Historic Half events and five Marine Corps Marathons (MCM). A former U.S. Navy serviceman currently working as a government civilian in Marine Corps Systems Command, the 47-year-old not only inspired his daughter to start her own running journey, but to follow in his military footsteps. 17-year-old Kayla is looking forward to one day becoming a U.S. Marine Corps officer.
As Fredericksburg locals, the father-daughter duo were able to keep up with tradition and run most of the actual Historic Half course – including the infamous Hospital Hill – for the 2020 virtual event.
“I really like running this race and this course, so I really didn’t give any thought as to not running it,” said Kayla. “It’s important to me and I hope I can keep running these races with my dad.”
“A tradition I hope we can enjoy for decades more,” her dad added.
Related Articles
Running Into Love: How Lace-Up Miles Can Bring Us Closer Together
Author: Amber Roca, MCMO Marketing and Sponsorship Manager Love is in the air, and it’s not just about chocolates and flowers – it’s about the power of connection, health, and joy. Running is one of the simplest yet most profound ways to experience all of those. Whether you’re running solo or sharing the experience with […]
The Role of Running in the Attention Economy of an IT Driven World
Author: Alex Hetherington, MCMO Race Director In a fast-paced world increasingly dominated by information technology, where emails, notifications, and constant updates vie for our attention, running offers a unique antidote. The IT platform and social media attention economy thrives on capturing and redirecting focus, often at the expense of our mental and physical well-being. Running, […]
New Year’s Running Resolution: Focus on Experience and Consistency
Author: Alex Hetherington, MCMO Race Director As the New Year begins, many runners set ambitious goals: hitting personal bests, increasing mileage, or chasing new achievements. While these objectives can be motivating, this year, consider a different approach—focusing more on the experience and consistency of running, and less on the comparables and data points. By doing […]