Sep 28, 2018 3 min read

A little more than 10 years ago, before Chris Buckley lost 100 pounds, he couldn’t imagine ever being able to run 26 miles.

“When you’re 270 pounds, you never think you’re going to run a marathon, let alone for a cause or event,” he said.

Now Chris runs about 1,700 miles every year. He has 24 half and full marathons under his belt.

He runs to represent and honor his son, Tim, who has autism.

“He’s my inspiration,” said Chris, who has run for the national Organization for Autism Research’s (O.A.R.) official running team and completed the Boston and Pittsburgh marathons, in which he has raised money for numerous causes.

With his Autism Runs team, Chris will run the GAP Trail Relay Oct. 12 and 13 to raise money for O.A.R. He and teammates Adam Resosky, Mike Melvin, Greg Hymes, Stephanie Beisheim, Stacey Falk, Sarah Lee-Faulkner and Vanessa Aron will cover more than 150 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage, from Cumberland, Md., to Pittsburgh.

The trail is divided into 24 sections, with every teammate running 22 to 25 miles.

This is the inaugural year for the GAP Trail Relay, and though the team is made up of seasoned runners, Chris, senior communications representative for Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, is expecting some trials along the trail.

“I run every day, six or seven miles a day and 10 to 12 on Sundays. But there are going to be some challenging hills,” said Chris, who has been training with the team. One of his favorite places to train is Mingo Creek County Park.

Autism Runs is receiving financial support from sponsors Model Cleaners and Community Bank for the cost of the trip, including two vans that will transport the runners during their rest periods. Chris is hopeful that the team will raise a significant amount for O.A.R., which has the mission of applying research to answer questions of daily concern to those living with autism.

Though Tim is able to speak, he communicates primarily with sign language. He is involved with his church and likes to swim and ride horses.

“My wife and I decided early on he wouldn’t miss out on anything,” said Chris. “No matter where I run, I know at the end of every race, he’s at the finish line, waiting for me.”

For information or to donate, visit www.runningdownautism.org.