Meet North Canton area distance runner Taylor Sowers
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Introducing to you local runner Taylor Sowers (34), who resides in the neighborhoods behind Oakwood Square. Taylor has been running for 22 years. He began his running career during his years in High School in McDonald, Ohio, and competed in cross country while attending Mount Union. “I decided to give it up because I wanted to pursue longer events. I like the idea of running for hours on end. It’s a good goal to have and you really get a workout in,” Taylor said. And so, he set out to achieve his goal of running a marathon on the historic streets of Boston.
In 2022, Taylor ran the Boston Marathon. He has now set a time goal he hoped to achieve by the end of 2023. And if not, he has his sights set on 2024. “I think the biggest challenge in running, like other sports, is a mental game. Typically, a marathoner will have a set plan and goals that they want to achieve during a workout or a race leading to their ‘goal race’ and if they don’t achieve them, it can become mentally defeating, and almost sidetrack your marathon plan. Having the ability to bounce back, or adjust your goals always has to be in your mind as nothing ever goes according to plan.”
This year marks five years since the unexpected passing of Taylor’s best friend, George. George’s four most popular words to Taylor were, “You got this man.” Taylor carries the memory of George with him, feeling him to be better in his life with family, teaching/counseling, and in his running.
“Plain Township has been my favorite place to run,” says Taylor. “It has everything I need. Personally, I would like to thank the drivers of Plain Township who see me out running, and even if you don’t know me, you always wave or sometimes tell me to get running faster. I do appreciate those comments, even if it might scare me at first.” Taylor’s running routine starts as early as 3:45am, hitting the roads early, and waving to other morning birds on their own walks.
“My high school cross country coach always encouraged us to improve no matter how fast we were, or how far I wanted to run,” advice that Taylor continues to keep in mind throughout his running. “There are others who are better than you at whatever you may be working towards, and you have to own that. You have to be willing to learn from them and enjoy their successes to improve.”
Taylor leaves us with one more piece of advice: “Check the expirations of your fuel!” Running with an upset stomach is extremely uncomfortable, and can hinder your run. Taylor made the mistake of taking an expired gu during the Youngstown marathon, flushed it out and had to go without fuel for the remainder of his race, with 19 miles to go. Despite the mishap, he finished first!
If you see Taylor out running the roads of Plain Township, give him a friendly wave and cheer him on!
Racing Stats:
- 26 Marathons (Cleveland x4, Columbus x2, Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Canton x9, Mohican, Youngstown, Boston Virtual, Akron x3, Boston), Haunted Forest Marathon since 2008
- PR: 2:48:48
- Boston Qualifier 2020, 2022, 2024
- NYC Qualifier 2019, 2023
- Chicago Qualifier 2022, 2023
- 15 Ultramarathons (YUT-C 50k x3, Bigfoot 50k x2, Finger Lakes 50k, Run for Regis 50k x3, Green Jewel 50k x2, Burning River 50, Bills BA 50k, Run for Emmy, Fuzzy Fandango)
- 50K PR: 3:52:49
- 50-Mile PR: 11:57
- 12 Half-Marathons (Columbus, Mill Creek x 5, Made in America Half Marathon, Union Hospital Run for Home, Pro Football Hall of Fame Half, Akron x3)
- PR: 1:18:48
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