I want to thank all the people who coached me, cheered for me or just made me laugh with their commentary over the years – helping to make my journey halfway to the moon possible:
My spiritual coach and counselor Rev. M.G. Wood, Edmondson Avenue Community & Providence Baptist Church
1970-1973 Forest Park High School Cross Country & Track Teams
1973 Forest Park High School Women’s Basketball Team and Cheerleaders
Benjamin Cornish of Edmondson Ave, the fastest runner around
One of my greatest sources of encouragement James Turner, 1971-1973 Forest Park High School Cross Country & Track Team
Coach and team captain Adrian Deshield, 1971 Forest Park High School Cross Country & Track Team
Bernard Williams, Forest Park High School Cross Country & Track Teams 1973. We talked about having families and training our kids to go to the Olympics. Bernard’s son, Bernard Williams Jr., went on to win a gold and silver medal at the 2000 Olympics.
My lifelong friend Nathaniel ‘Ricky’ Noakes, who was also a great basketball player and dribbled his basketball around Druid Hill Park Reservoir to keep me company
My Parkside neighbor Larry Richardson, who made comments as he watched me run in the snow and ice (he always referred to me as the Iron Man)
A true source of inspiration Connieville ‘Cousin Connie’ Richardson, who heard about my transcontinental run and traveled from Chicago to Baltimore to run with me for a weekend
Mount Auburn Cemetery Board and Sharp Street Church Community
Dr. William Howard, Union Memorial Hospital Sports Medicine
Just like the people, the places I’ve run have had a significant impact on my journey including Druid Hill Park (pictured here), Lake Montebello, Herring Run Community, and Patterson Park Community.
Special Shoutouts
My siblings who encouraged and poked a little fun at me over the years
C. Wainwright and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland
Preston Eades who encouraged me to share this story and helped with the initial website planning
Dad (Winston Wiggins Sr.) and his wristwatch
Mom (Theresa Wiggins) and her gingerbread with lemon sauce
