Some call him crazy. Others call him an inspiration. But Andrew Hayward doesn’t do it to make friends. When asked why running is such an important part of his life, he simply replies, “I run for my father.”
Hayward has lived in southern New Jersey his entire life. Despite living in a small town, he always stays busy. But even working six jobs at a time isn’t enough to make him retire his running shoes. It has always been something he enjoyed, but when his father passed away two years ago, it became more than just a sport. It became a promise to honor his father’s name.
In July 2006, Elijah Hayward lost his six-year battle to cancer. He worked as a chef for over 50 years and spent most of those years working more than 60 hours a week. “He was always the provider for our family,” says Hayward. “He was extremely dedicated to his work and to his family. It meant a lot to me to give back a little when he needed it most.”
After the death of his father, running became even more of an outlet for Hayward. “I changed my mindset from running for fitness to running for the memory of my father,” he says. “I think of everything he sacrificed for me and my family, and I realize that even running a 50-mile race does not do him justice.”
The last stretch of a marathon is both mentally and physically demanding, but not for Hayward, who chooses to sprint the last few yards of every race. Each time he approaches the finish line, he admits that he gets a little emotional. “I start to think about my father’s strength and dedication to the family, and that fuels me with the energy needed to sprint the last 100 yards,” he says.
Between working at a restaurant, teaching a high school marching band and studying for a master’s degree, Hayward has very little free time. But that doesn’t stop him from spending time with his loved ones. “I promised my father that I would take care of our mother after he passed,” he says. “Being the provider he was, he could not let go without realizing his sons could take care of his wife.” Although Hayward no longer lives at home, he tries to see his mother as much as possible. Whether they have dinner together or simply watch some television, he cherishes every moment.
Andrew after running a marathon
To honor his father’s name, Hayward started a non-profit organization called, “For My Father.” His charity has participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Run for Dad” for two years now and recently presented ACS with a $500 check after the race. Over the next few years, Hayward hopes to continue honoring his father’s memory by expanding his organization even further and raising more money for cancer research.
When asked the question, “What does Never Let You Down mean to you?” Hayward replies, “Never Let You Down is what I say to my father during the hardest parts of my races. I have made a commitment to honoring his memory and there is no way that I will give that up. I have completed every race that I have started, no matter how difficult it was.”
Never Let You Down means exactly that; no matter the situation, no matter how hard something becomes, there is something inside of each and every one of us that motivates us to become more than what we are. There is no doubt that Elijah Hayward is a proud father smiling down at his son’s accomplishments.
Andrew Hayward is a prime example of someone who is living the Never Let You Down mentality. His dedication and strength inspire everyone around him, and that is why he was selected to be Never Let You Down’s story of the month.
If you would like to read more Never Let You Down stories, please click on the logo above
Running For My Father
Posted by nlydstaff in Motivational Stories
Andrew Hayward- NLYD Story of the Month
Written by James Betterson
Some call him crazy. Others call him an inspiration. But Andrew Hayward doesn’t do it to make friends. When asked why running is such an important part of his life, he simply replies, “I run for my father.”
Hayward has lived in southern New Jersey his entire life. Despite living in a small town, he always stays busy. But even working six jobs at a time isn’t enough to make him retire his running shoes. It has always been something he enjoyed, but when his father passed away two years ago, it became more than just a sport. It became a promise to honor his father’s name.
In July 2006, Elijah Hayward lost his six-year battle to cancer. He worked as a chef for over 50 years and spent most of those years working more than 60 hours a week. “He was always the provider for our family,” says Hayward. “He was extremely dedicated to his work and to his family. It meant a lot to me to give back a little when he needed it most.”
After the death of his father, running became even more of an outlet for Hayward. “I changed my mindset from running for fitness to running for the memory of my father,” he says. “I think of everything he sacrificed for me and my family, and I realize that even running a 50-mile race does not do him justice.”
The last stretch of a marathon is both mentally and physically demanding, but not for Hayward, who chooses to sprint the last few yards of every race. Each time he approaches the finish line, he admits that he gets a little emotional. “I start to think about my father’s strength and dedication to the family, and that fuels me with the energy needed to sprint the last 100 yards,” he says.
Between working at a restaurant, teaching a high school marching band and studying for a master’s degree, Hayward has very little free time. But that doesn’t stop him from spending time with his loved ones. “I promised my father that I would take care of our mother after he passed,” he says. “Being the provider he was, he could not let go without realizing his sons could take care of his wife.” Although Hayward no longer lives at home, he tries to see his mother as much as possible. Whether they have dinner together or simply watch some television, he cherishes every moment.
Andrew after running a marathon
To honor his father’s name, Hayward started a non-profit organization called, “For My Father.” His charity has participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Run for Dad” for two years now and recently presented ACS with a $500 check after the race. Over the next few years, Hayward hopes to continue honoring his father’s memory by expanding his organization even further and raising more money for cancer research.
When asked the question, “What does Never Let You Down mean to you?” Hayward replies, “Never Let You Down is what I say to my father during the hardest parts of my races. I have made a commitment to honoring his memory and there is no way that I will give that up. I have completed every race that I have started, no matter how difficult it was.”
Never Let You Down means exactly that; no matter the situation, no matter how hard something becomes, there is something inside of each and every one of us that motivates us to become more than what we are. There is no doubt that Elijah Hayward is a proud father smiling down at his son’s accomplishments.
Andrew Hayward is a prime example of someone who is living the Never Let You Down mentality. His dedication and strength inspire everyone around him, and that is why he was selected to be Never Let You Down’s story of the month.
If you would like to read more Never Let You Down stories, please click on the logo above