When David Fletcher, 63, from Wooster, Ohio, took up running last October, he did it for the reason most people do: to get healthy.

“I was with my grandchildren riding a bike and I got real winded,” Fletcher said. Realizing he needed to get in shape, “the next day after work I took off running.”

Fletcher, who creates sinks and toilets as a modeler for a local plumbing company, started out running about a quarter of a mile and then gradually increased his distance. After several weeks, he finally decided to invest in a pair of good running shoes at his local shoe store, Vertical Runner, where he found out about their running club. Fletcher started running with the group in December and quickly became serious enough to take on the club's Project Marathon training plan.

“I didn’t initially plan on trying for Boston,” Fletcher said. “But I was running with the group, and many of them were preparing for it, so then it just became a goal of mine.”

Just about a year after he went on his very first run, Fletcher arrived at the Akron Marathon on September 26, hoping to do well enough to qualify for Boston. He was nervous, but he said that the energy from the other runners and the adrenalin rush of competing took over.

“I was a little bit in awe of all the runners,” Fletcher said. “I have never been around that many people competing in an event. It was awesome.”

Until mile 25—when Fletcher pulled his hamstring. Fletcher moved to the sidelines and sat stretching his leg for a few minutes. With that setback, Fletcher said he assumed qualifying for Boston was no longer possible.

When the pain subsided, he jumped back in and managed to cross the finish line at 4:04:36. He was happy to have finished, even if it meant not qualifying for Boston. The qualifying time for men ages 60 to 64 is 3:55.

However, a fellow runner pointed out to him that while his time wasn't fast enough for a 63-year-old runner, it was fast enough for a 65-year-old runner. The qualifying time for men ages 65 to 70 is 4:10. Which meant that Fletcher would be eligible to compete in the 2017 Boston Marathon because he will be 65 at that point in time.

He said he was relieved and excited when he found out he qualified, adding that his family’s support made the moment sweeter, and he was glad he didn’t disappoint them.

“At first, my sons were like ‘oh okay, dad’s got a new hobby here,’” Fletcher said. “I’m sure they didn’t think much of it.” But he said they came to the Akron Marathon wearing t-shirts that said “Team Fletcher 26.2” and “Boston Bound.”

Fletcher said he plans to participate in more marathons until Boston and will continue to work on improving his time. He has his eyes set on next year’s Akron Marathon and hopes to run at least another marathon in between.

“I hope to break the four hour barrier, and then just keep trying to get better from there,” he said.