By Anthony Manuel Caravalho, Sports Editor
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center marathoners and supporters believe every runner wins. But when the event concludes, there is one individual standing truly victorious as he completes the race: the last person crossing the finish line. This year’s victor is Albert Campos Jr., the 38th and last person to finish the race.
“Thoughts [that] I wouldn’t make it because of my cramps around lap 40-43, stopped as I realized I didn’t want to give up because of my belief in God, and my own persistence,” said Campos Jr. “I also finished because I wanted to give back to the community, my victim(s), and for my family.”
Campos said that when he reached lap 70, he felt he ran out of energy. But because there was a huge personal fan base that included “a lot of running coaches, education staff, my coworkers from the Peer Literacy Mentor Program and the SQRC community, especially Jaime ‘Happy’ Paredes. All of them continued to support me until I completed the marathon.”
As the laps eroded layers of protection from his Hoka running shoes, Campos Jr. staggered and cramped as he completed the agonizing trek.
Four hours, five minutes and two seconds after Hugo Dimas finished the first sub-three-hour marathon at SQRC, completing the 105 laps to capture the first place trophy, Campos Jr. crossed the finish line like a punch-drunk warrior after one round with Iron Mike Tyson.
“You did it!” exclaimed a 1000 Mile Club volunteer as everyone clapped in American Sign Language (both hands in the air) for Campos Jr. “That’s the deaf culture,” said Campos Jr. “And I just can’t thank everyone who showed me full support, including my brother Tommy Wickerd, who first invited me to become a 1000 Mile Club member.”
Campos Jr. has been a member of the 1000 Mile Club since 2022. He estimates he has truly run 1000 miles this year.
“I was blessed to not be injured at all throughout the year and was mentored by all of our senior track residents and the volunteers who come in to train us at least once a week,” said Campos Jr.
Fellow runner Eliezar Prado, who finished 90 laps of the marathon, said of Campos Jr., “Truly amazing to see a man not endowed with the athletic ability of a classic runner finish this event.”
“There are more ways to win in life than coming in first place,” said third-place finisher Jose Maya. “Al represents perseverance and humility for all who have suffered by his actions; I call that a winner.”
Campos Jr. said that advocating for the entire deaf community during his incarceration also contributed to him finishing.
“Today, I felt normal. When I ran, no one treated me as [having] special needs, and that’s how we all wish it could be in life everyday,” said Campos Jr.