Summit Local To Run Boston Marathon In Honor Of Lost Friend

Summit, NJ -- He's tackled New York City and Tokyo and now, Al Lord of Summit will be running in the Boston Marathon on Monday.

This will be Lord's third marathon but it will have a special meaning for him as he is running it in honor of his friend Eric Gould, who lost his courageous two-and-a-half year battle to lymphoma in July.

"It's a lot tougher this time around," Lord told Patch of his training. "The first time I ran the marathon I was in my 20s, second was in my 30s. It's a lot harder for the body to recover.

"But it's easier when you have a purpose for charity. I wouldn't be doing it if I didn’t have a purpose."

Gould was a third degree black belt in Isshinryu karate who helped Lord train every Saturday at the Isshinryu Karate in Madison and Bernardsville.

He died at only 47 years old and was survived by his children Ruby, Ben and Spencer. Lord still trains with Ben and Spencer in the dojo.

Lord will be dressed in a purple Jersey during the race with the words "Running in honor of Eric Gould" on the back. The purple represents the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which Lord raised $5,500 for in order to run.

Lord's firm, Lexerd Capital Management, LLC (based in Summit as well) has paid the $5,000 required fee and is sponsoring all of travel expenses. Gould's mother donated the additional $500.

He is still accepting donations for the cause. All donations are tax exempt with the organization’s 501-C3 number: 13-5644916.

All proceeds will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s programs of research and patient assistance.

To donate visit http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/boston16/alords.

Photo provided: Pictured from left Spencer Gould, Al Lord and Ben Gould.