Utah man with Parkinson's to run Boston Marathon

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah man is preparing to take on one of the most prestigious races in the world — the Boston Marathon — but he said the most important race he's running is against a debilitating disease.

At 45 years old, Chris Needham, a former U.S. national speedskater, never imagined he would become a marathon runner. That changed three years ago when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease — a moment he now describes as a "gift."

"Running was something I was never really good at," Needham said. "But about three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. At the end of that, I emerged a runner. And I really fell in love with running."

Following his diagnosis, Needham said his doctor encouraged him to begin exercising regularly. He joined a national Parkinson's exercise study, SPARX 3, which investigates how high-intensity aerobic activity can affect symptoms. What began as a treatment plan quickly became a passion.

"Our brains react really positively to exercise," Needham said. "Since I've been in this program, all of my Parkinson's symptoms have reduced; many of them, they're not there anymore. I've done nothing else. I'm on no medicine for it. It's all 100% running."

Needham credited early diagnosis, at an age when he can exercise regularly, with improving his symptoms.

"Early diagnosis, early intervention with exercise has been my savior," he said. "I was diagnosed with it while I was still healthy enough that I could do anything; I could ride my bike. Being diagnosed with Parkinson's was a gift and gave me a great opportunity."

What started as therapy soon evolved into a goal: running a marathon — and not just any marathon, the Boston Marathon.

"I said, 'If I'm going to run any marathon, why not go for the biggest of them all?'" Needham said.

That goal became reality when he connected with Abbott Healthcare, sponsor of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Through its "Team Abbott" program, a community of runners overcoming health challenges, Needham secured a spot in this year's Boston Marathon.

The race also holds special meaning for Needham. Boston is also his hometown, making the experience a full-circle moment.

"I want to get to Boylston Street and have a big smile on my face and cross that finish line feeling good," he said.

In preparation, Needham has steadily built his endurance, including completing a half marathon during the Salt Lake City Marathon last year.

Beyond the personal milestone, Needham said he hopes that crossing the finish line will represent far more than just completing 26.2 miles. He also said he hopes his journey will inspire others facing similar diagnoses to explore the benefits of exercise.

"That's the most exciting thing about this," he said, "I'm getting to run a marathon because I have Parkinson's. If I hadn't been diagnosed with Parkinson's, the stimulus to start running would not have been there, and then the ability to know that I can run a marathon never would've happened."

Those interested in an opportunity to run a major with Team Abbott can find more information here.

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