Feature Stories
Alan Peterson, '14
Every runner during the 2015 River Bank Run began their race with a different set of goals. Some wanted a personal best, some were just praying to finish. Alan Peterson, ’14 was running to win. And win he did. Not just the 5K, but the 10K as well.
The River Bank Run is no small-town road race. The competition is fierce and the race is sprinkled with elite athletes. No one expected a local runner with only one road race experience under his belt to win anything. However, Peterson did. Not just the 5K with a time of 15:11.38, but then he took a quick 25-minute break and dominated the 10K with a time of 31:18.84.
Peterson ran cross-country and track and field throughout his time at Grand Valley. Coming into college after being a state champion in high school, Peterson knew he needed to find a place where his running career could be pushed to new limits. He found that in Grand Valley, where his awe of the campus beauty was outshined by the support and welcoming nature of the staff. Even to this day, he feels a special connection to the community that surrounds the school. He could still feel the support throughout his River Bank races.
Peterson’s favorite Grand Valley memories were the results of hard work— the same work ethic that carried him through River Bank training. He will never forget finishing second with his cross-country team in 2013 and walking across the stage at graduation to shake President Haas’s hand.
“[Shaking his hand] was the moment that capped all of the hard work put in, especially by everyone who supported me along the way,” Peterson said.
Support is the key to success for Peterson. From the encouragement of the GVSU staff, which helped pave the way to completing his degree in Clinical Exercise Science, to his family, which gives him the extra drive he needs to become successful— Peterson knows achievement does not come from one’s self alone.
“[Without] my family, friends, coaches, and teammates… I would not be where I am today,” Peterson said.
Grand Valley has set the foundation for many great things to come in Peterson’s life. He is currently furthering his education at Grand Valley and plans to graduate with his masters of education in 2016. He hopes to use his education to give others the same kind of support that drives him every day.
“I have a passion for helping students, so I envision [working with Campus Recreation] to be the best scenario… if that doesn’t work out I plan on staying in the higher education field and helping students in whatever regard they need,” Peterson said.
Peterson also has big plans for his running. He trains hard to achieve his dream of one day running the marathon at the Olympics. Because he met the Olympic Trials Marathon qualifying time, he will be competing in the trials this February. He also volunteers with the GVSU cross-country and track teams.
Originally from Bessemer, Peterson currently lives in Allendale where he enjoys visiting his uncle and two cousins in the Grand Rapids area.
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