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Did you hear about the Morgans? Husband-wife team place in top 10
By Matthew peaslee
youngstown
Many first dates happen around sports.
A baseball game is a perfect spot to enjoy a summer evening getting to know someone. A sports movie may not be the most romantic genre, but it surely shows compassion from a girl that might prefer a chick flick.
Andy Morgan chose a much different, more meaningful sports setting for his first date with the former Rochelle Rupe.
It was their sophomore year of high school at Maplewood when they both attended the Run Inspire running camp at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula. Andy had just started running the year before, but Rochelle’s passion with the sport began way before she even met him.
“I grew up with it in my family,” said Rupe, whose father, Ted, coached both athletes. “Not running was never really an option.”
Good thing, because it led Rochelle to her future husband.
Last year, Andy and Rochelle jogged back to their favorite spot at the national park where they started dating nearly a decade ago as 15-year-olds, and proposed.
They were married four months ago and have run five races together as a couple, including Sunday’s Peace Race.
Andy finished second overall, as the top U.S. male, with a time of 29 minutes, 43 seconds. It was two minutes off his personal record. Rochelle earned top-10 honors on the women’s side; fourth for Ohio women.
“Overall, it’s great to share this together,” Andy said. “It strengthens our relationship, but sometimes it pushes us a little bit too much because we can get competitive.”
Oh, really?
“I just get mad at him because I’m not quite as good as him,” Rochelle reluctantly stated.
Nonetheless, Andy and Rochelle try to run more than 10 road races a year with the goal of finishing near each other.
That already happened, last week.
At the Bowman Cup 5K in Kent, Andy was the top-male finisher and Rochelle came in as the first female.
They were scholarship runners at Akron, where they recently graduated. With their college days behind them, having each other has been the best training in the sport they both cherish.
“It’s hard to train on your own,” Rochelle said. “After college you don’t have a team anymore, but I’ve got him. You don’t have a problem getting out the door because one of us is always there for each other.”
Race director Ted Rupe said their story is common in the Peace Race, every year.
“Many couples do come out to take part,” he said. “It’s a very family-oriented event and that makes it even more special.”