Lifelong Longboat runner shares motivation for staying on the move

Longboater Harold Cullison found himself in a unique position when competing in the men's 70+ age category of a 10K race this week.

"When my daughter asked how I did in this one, I told her I came in first and last," he laughed.

Cullison isn't lying. He did finish first and last. 

Of course, he was the only runner in the age group. 

But it shows running is about more than staying active for Cullison, who owns the recently reopened Sandpiper Inn with his wife, Christine. 

When he laces up his shoes and clips on a racing bib, he's preparing to enjoy an activity that brings him closer with family members, especially when they meet to run in the world's largest 10K race that has been going for more than 50 years.

Photo by Dana Kampa

He recently reached a new milestone in his running career with his 10K win at a race to support mental health.

In fact, he was the only person among the approximately 750 participants to run in his category. But he kept his competitive edge, posting an impressive time of 55:34 and setting a pace of 8:57 minutes per mile.

This was a particularly satisfying win, considering he had to take a hiatus last year after getting two heart stents. Returning to form was a great feeling, he said.

That's not the only moment he's been celebrating in recent weeks, though. He and Christine officially reopened the hurricane-damaged Sandpiper Inn in mid-August. 

Cullison shared his gratitude for these steps forward.

The pair moved to Longboat Key in 2010 after selling other properties in the New England area to invest in a community where they could see themselves retiring.

Before moving to the hospitality industry, they both worked in the world of tech, with Christine managing Citibank's computer operations for North America and Harold working as a software engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation, the second-largest computer company in the world at one time. Before that, he served in the U.S. Navy as a fire control technician.

They met at the Bull & Finch Pub, the original name of the Boston bar that later inspired the TV show, "Cheers."

Over the years, Cullison has competed in several local races, including the Ringling Bridge Run 10K to support the Education Foundation. While he couldn't compete in this year's race during his recovery, he ran it in 2024 and looks forward to doing it again next April.

"I found out later that most of the people ran the 5K," he said. "Only 79 finished the 10K, and 480 finished the 5K."

He said he appreciates being able to support organizations working to improve the community.

Centerstone put on its annual 10K/5K fundraiser race on Sept. 20 at Nathan Benderson Park. In total, the group raised more than $135,000 to support its mental health services and raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Cullison was one of the runners representing Longboat Key that day, and he said he generally set a solid pace with fellow runners after splitting off from the 5K race.

Photo by Dana Kampa

"That last stretch coming down the water brought a little breeze, and it felt like running against a brick wall," he said. "There was one person I was running back and forth with the entire race, and at the end, I started to catch up, and we almost crossed the finish line at the same time."

He is always keeping an eye out for local certified chip-timed races, which play an important role in securing a good wave to start in the Atlanta-based Peachtree Road Race, one of his favorite events of the year.

"My daughter had moved to Decatur, on the edge of Atlanta, and her husband's family had participated for quite a few years in the Peachtree," he said, noting that more than 50,000 people regularly turn out.

"There are about 2,000 runners in each wave, and the road is massive, six lanes wide, but it is busy," he continued. "You don't need a qualified time for the Peachtree, but you're starting in the back."

Christine has joined him in the Peachtree run as well. She walked the 10K the day before her 70th birthday.

"I was one and done," she said with a laugh. "I don't run."

His best time for the race was in 2023.

"It wasn't so much the time that I was proud of, though," he said. "At that time, I was running in the 70 to 74 age group, and I was 6th out of 540."

The longest race Cullison competed in was the Sarasota Half-Marathon in 2021, and he said he was happy just to cross the finish line in 2:05:00 as one of only half a dozen finishers in his group.

"It nearly killed me, but I'm glad I did it," he said.