Grady’s Journey from OKCIC Running Club to Record-Breaking Teen Athlete
By: Rochelle Plummer, MS, RD/LD, CLC
Grady, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, was 8 years old when he joined the Running Club at Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) in the spring of 2019. Initially, participation was intended to help him stay active between soccer practices. “My mom signed me up to help keep me in shape for soccer,” Grady explained. “Being new to the sport, I felt timid at first.”
Rising to the Challenge
As the team trained for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Grady’s potential began to emerge. He was originally registered for the one-mile children’s race. However, when an older participant dropped out of the 5K event, the coach and Grady’s mother agreed that he could take the open spot.
OKCIC policy requires an adult to run alongside each youth participant in the 5K. Grady was paired with Matt Drobot, a former OKCIC personal trainer at the Wellness Center. At the starting line, Drobot advised Grady to pace himself. “Matt warned me not to start too fast, but I didn’t listen,” Grady recalled. “I just kept weaving through the crowd.”
During the race, Grady’s pace quickly stood out. The coach monitored participants through the race app and saw that Grady was leading the club. Drobot struggled to keep up as Grady crossed the finish line in 26:54, placing first among his peers. “After that experience, seeing how hard work pays off solidified my love for the club and the sport,” Grady said.
Although soccer eventually conflicted with running club schedules, Grady continued running independently. His commitment grew during middle school and high school. “He began setting goals, talking about races, about training, about what it meant to push through when things got hard,” his mother noted.
A New Personal Record
By his freshman year at Westmoore High School, Grady logged more than 300 miles during summer training, earned a spot on the varsity cross-country team, and achieved a personal best of 17:59 in the 5K.
1st Full Marathon at 14
Grady’s most significant achievement to date occurred in April 2025 when he returned to the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon—where his passion for running began—this time as a full marathon participant. At 14 years old, he was the youngest runner in the race and finished in 3:14:28, placing third in the 19-and-under category and 106th overall. “Crossing that finish line was the best feeling,” Grady shared.
A Bright Future Ahead
Today, running remains an integral part of Grady’s life. Each year, he returns to OKCIC’s annual 5K, which he has won for the past two years. “I plan to keep running it as long as I can,” he said.
Grady’s mother reflected on his growth and perseverance: “Grady has such a bright future, and I’m so glad his journey started here. I can’t wait to see what the rest of his running career has in store for him.”
Is your child ready to run, have fun, and stay active? Check out the Running Club schedule at okcic.com/hpdp.