|
| |
Miguel Lopez
As in most human endeavors, it is excellent
leadership that propels a good running club forwards. Miguel Lopez has provided
that leadership for the Tornados Running Club for 16 years. He is the kind of
leader that motivates by example. Year after year he is always one of the top
finishers, if not the top, in his age group. I have always known him to talk
with his legs and when the race is over to give you a firm handshake that
communicates respect.
Miguel started running in 1985 at the age of 35, after years of cycling. That
same year he ran the Woodlands Marathon in
3:15. He eventually got his PR down to 2:40.
Miguel soon got his brothers involved in the sport. The next year his younger
brother, Gerardo, beat him in the Galveston Marathon, finishing second overall.
Miguel and his brothers loved to compete against each other. Miguel said of
these competitions, there is nothing better than competing and winning. A few
friends joined the Lopez brothers over the next couple of years in their
training and competitions. And it was from the Lopez family and their friends
that “the running family” – the Tornados Running Club was born.
They officially founded the Tornados in 1988. Miguel chose the name Tornados
because it symbolized speed and also carried a connotation of destruction! Some
early members were Jose Torres, Israel Arroyo, Victor Tinajero and Jaime
Rodriguez. They lived up to their name by defeating the Harriers the second
year of the HARRA competitions. Miguel’s tradition of hard work combined with
respect is being carried forward today by his son Miguel Lopez, Jr. and by his
nephew’s Gerardo and Pete Lopez. They are quickly gaining on one of
Houston’s fastest masters
and will certainly carry the Tornado tradition of running excellence into the
future.
| |
|
