By Tara Prakash, Red Cross volunteer

Franklin Morgan didn’t start running because it came naturally to him. He started because someone told him he couldn’t.

When a former employer once said he would “never see the day” Morgan became a runner, Morgan decided to lace up his sneakers and prove him wrong. Now, he runs not out of defiance, but for himself, because “it allows [me] to tune out all of the ‘noise’ in [my] head and simply move through the day without any worries,” he says.

Morgan is from Silver Spring, Maryland, a place he finds packed with culture. Many of his training miles take him through Rock Creek Park, and on his longer, 20-mile runs, he ends up running to Arlington National Cemetery from his apartment.

On April 26, Morgan will take on the Big Sur International Marathon in California. And he’s running for more than personal accomplishment—he’s running to raise money to support the American Red Cross. While he does not have a defining personal story with the organization, he recognizes the profound impact it has on communities across the country. “I’m sure that many people in my life do have a connection to the Red Cross,” he says, “and that is a good enough reason to support it in my book!”

Morgan is no stranger to the marathon distance. He previously completed a marathon along the C&O Canal in Georgetown, recalling it as challenging but manageable – thanks to the course’s flat terrain. So while “Twenty-six point two miles will always be difficult to complete,” he said, “an entirely flat course makes the distance much easier.” The Big Sur course, however, presents a new challenge, with more than 2,187 feet of elevation gain. To prepare, Morgan has been following a disciplined training program, running five days a week and strength training once a week.

Professionally, Morgan serves as an administrator at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, where he helps military personnel become doctors. Outside of work and running, he is an avid weightlifter. He also takes great pride in his Sicilian heritage, shaped by the strong influence of his grandparents.

To those following his marathon journey, Morgan offers a simple but powerful message: “You don't have to be an incredible athlete to begin running, and you certainly do not need to be a massive public figure to make a difference in people's lives.” And while he did begin running to prove someone else wrong, he also wanted to prove it to himself. What began as a challenge has grown into a source of purpose.

As he looks ahead to race day, Morgan feels more excitement than nerves. Visiting Big Sur and running along California’s iconic coastline has long been a dream of his. “Running the marathon will be a fantastic way to make that dream come true,” he says—while supporting the Red Cross in its mission to assist struggling communities.

If you’d like to support Morgan's run, visit his fundraising page at https://rdcrss.org/4urjHD9.

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To learn more about how you can support the American Red Cross and its lifesaving mission, visit redcross.org.