Photo: SweetM Images
By Kim Constantinesco
Last spring I spoke with Lotatoa “Lota” Ward, a 9-year-old boy from Utah, who is running ultramarathons through treatment for a brain tumor.
As he was training for his first 50-mile race in 2014, doctors discovered a growth in his brain. Lota, who began running when he was 7, endured three brain surgeries leading up to his race (doctors gave him the thumbs up to continue running through treatment). Just three days before his fourth surgery in six months, Lota completed 33 of those 50 miles, only stopping because his feet hurt.
“Running helps me feel better and feel strong,” he told me. “It helps me deal with my tumor, and helps me get through tough times.”
It makes sense that “Lotatoa” is Samoan for “Our Warrior.”
Lota had a fifth surgery in November, and then ran a 20K in January, which was his first race in eight months.
Fox Sports produced a wonderful video on Lota and his family that you will want to watch.
Give Lota a follow on Facebook, and consider making a donation on his Give Forward page.
