Brad Runnion

Freshmen - Homer Glen, IL - Lockport

A walk-on from Lockport Twp. High School, Brad came to Eastern with modest PRs (800-2:00, 1600-4:36, 3 mile xc 16:11) and was part of a 13 member freshman class. His freshman year saw immediate improvement as he dropped 5 seconds from his 800 time (1:55) and improved to 4:04 in the 1500. After sitting out the fall because of an IT Band injury, Brad quickly improved his 800 time to 1:54.83 indoors but saw his track season cut short by a stress fracture (he suffered two in high school, one of which was in such an odd/dangerous spot, that he had to have two surgical screws placed in his hip). Little did he know, he would not PR in any event for three more years. His junior and senior years at Eastern were marred with subpar performances and injuries including another stress fracture. The summer before his 5th year, Brad didn’t run until the middle of July because of a stress fracture. After another mediocre cross country season, Runnion did not compete for EIU indoors since he didn’t have any eligibility. Once outdoors came around, however, he was anxious to wear the blue and white again. In his first 1500 of the season, Runnion set a PR for the first time in 5 years running 3:58.52 at SIU-C Spring Classic and came back a few weeks later to set a PR of 1:54.78 at Western Illinois. The following weekend, he improved to 3:54.91 at Vanderbilt by placing 12th. At the Drake Relays, he was the second leg on the school record 4x800 (1:53.3) and anchored a sprint medley the following day. The subsequent weekend brought the OVC Championships – a meet Brad did not compete in since his freshman season. After having a recall in the 1500 meters, Runnion earned his first individual OVC medal by placing third in a PR of 3:53.67.

Brad was a great teammate and leader. He fought through his injures, and set an example on and off the track. If a fellow teammate was having trouble getting through a workout or long run, Brad had a way of encouraging them and pulling them through the hard parts, showing them they had more then they thought.

Shortly after graduation, Brad moved to Colorado in search of a teaching job with his fiancée, Amanda. Brad earned his Private Pilots License with Instrument Rating while he served as a captain on the cross country and track teams.