Running for Sydney

“Sometimes in life you do things for a much greater cause.”

These words spoken by Paint Valley head coach and athletic director Pete Hollon ring more true than he could have ever imagined, as he prepares to run in the Flying Pig Marathon on May 5.

However, the upcoming run isn’t about Hollon, who is running in a half marathon for the first time, or the famous marathon held in Cincinnati each year.

Who, what and why the 18-year head coach of Paint Valley football is running for is more important than any victory he has or ever will achieve as the Bearcats’ head football coach.

This run is about and for Paint Valley senior Sydney Hodge.

Hodge, who was the PV homecoming queen, was diagnosed with nodular sclerosing Hodgkin’s lymphoma on Dec. 21, 2012, four days before Christmas.

According to Cancer.net, nodular sclerosing Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common type of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in adolescents and young adults in the United States.

Hodge played volleyball and track at PV, but due to the Hodgkin’s diagnosis, she was unable to participate in her senior season of track. As a track runner, she was a part of the Lady Bearcats’ 800-meter relay team.

“I knew I had a problem around Christmas when a swollen lymph node did not shrink and began to hurt,” Hodge said in the Paint Valley school bulletin. “We didn’t realize it was cancer, but other symptoms were there we didn’t realize.”

Since Hodge was a water girl for Paint Valley football in the past, along with being a former volleyball teammate of Hollon’s daughter, Hollon stepped up for Hodge.

“Sydney is a fantastic kid who has amazing strength,” he said. “I have always been close to her, with her being my daughter’s teammate in volleyball and being a former water girl in football.

“Here at Paint Valley, we talk about being one big family, and we truly are that – the support she has received has been heartwarming.”

Hodge, who has undergone numerous surgeries and has been in chemotherapy since January, also spoke about the support from the community, along with commenting on her current condition.

She also had a bedroom makeover from Special Spaces Columbus, a non-profit organization that creates dream bedrooms for children with life-threatening illnesses.

“We have been overwhelmed, surprised and amazed,” she said. “We didn’t think people would really care.

“I am doing better … hopefully I have completed my last round of chemo. I still have issues with breathing, but it will take time to rebuild my lung capacity.”

When you talk to Hollon about running in the upcoming Flying Pig, he speaks not about himself, but Sydney, as this not only has changed his outlook on life, but this run is for a greater cause.

“Sydney has been a member of our track team for the last four years, and since she will be unable to participate this year, it really left me heartbroken, so I am running for her senior year,” Hollon said. “I have been so blessed to spend so many years at Paint Valley, and I would gladly give back all my coaching victories for her to be healthy.”

Hollon’s 13-mile run has a goal of raising $2,500 through donations and sponsorships. Hollon hasn’t just had support from Ross County, but also in Highland County, as he is a resident of Lynchburg.

“I have lived in Lynchburg for nearly five years now, and the generosity of Highland County is awesome,” he said. “I was running near home last week, and a lady stopped me and gave me $20 for our cause.

“I want to make sure Sydney and her family can afford to send her to college next year, so all the money we raise will go to her medical expenses and future college fund.”

Hodge understands all the training Hollon is going though, being an athlete herself, as she said she was shocked when she found out Hollon was running for her.

“I was shocked,” Hodge said. “I have known him since I have gone to Paint Valley, and I am really honored. I was surprised to find out how much training he has gone through.”

Prepping for the event hasn’t been easy on Hollon, as he explained he’s not much of a runner.

“I have nearly zero experience at running and have never run in any event,” he said. “I have to admit, the physical demands have been difficult at times, but I have a great support group.

“My wife has lived with me leaving my house at 4:45 a.m. so I could run in the hallways of Paint Valley before school (when it was too cold to run outside), and my daughter has helped me train for the longer runs.”

Donations and sponsorships are able to be made by contacting speroforsydney@hotmail.com or by going directly to any Fifth Third Bank and making a contribution to the Sydney Hodge/Spero for Sydney savings account.

Businesses or individuals interested in obtaining sponsorship donation forms to help in collecting donations can also find this information on the Spero for Sydney Facebook page or by emailing speroforsydney@hotmail.com.