Richard Widener: He keeps going & going & going

You may have seen him walking the halls of North Lake dressed in sweats and running shoes, headed to an art or music class. If so, you would have noticed the bounce in his step, the spring in his stride, and the smile on his face.

If he didn’t say so, you would never know that he’s 80 years old. In fact, everyone who meets Richard Widener is stunned when they hear his age. He makes no concealment of it at all; however, he will tell you upfront just exactly who he is.

Widener began running track for Texas A&M when he was 17 years old, but it didn’t stick. It wasn’t until he was 45 years old that he picked up running again in order to stay fit. This time it was for good.

He set records in his late forties, fifties, and sixties. In 1978 at the age of 51, he finished the Boston Marathon in 2:39. Then, in 2006, he was listed in the Texas Running Hall of Fame for his amazing catalog of accomplishments.

He has a boundless passion for running that is apparent in his disposition. He sees running as a chance to get and out and go play, and he always has.

“Running has always been fun,” said Widener. “I remember saying, ‘Mom, can I go out and play?’”

However, his zeal is not limited solely to running. When asked about some of his favorite classes at North Lake, Widener answered, “Sculpture, drawing, painting and piano.” They are more than just classes he has taken, he said, but hobbies that fill his life and home with the colors of beauty.

His hobbies also include feeling healthy, he said. “My exercises include stretching, Pilates, spinning, some barefoot running on the grass, and 5k races on the weekends.”

This is quite a routine for anyone.

“Richard is an inspiration to all of us,” said Marty Ray, art instructor. He is always seeking to learn something new.”

As if this all weren’t enough to keep him busy, Widener also enjoys traveling as much as possible. In fact, he has been in Paris for the last two weeks. If you don’t find him in Paris, you might go to Morocco, one of his favorite places to travel, or to Mexico where he has a second home in the mountains. While in Mexico, Widener likes to throw community fiestas for the entire village to attend.

Dr. Nancy Castilla, a long-time friend and neighbor of Widener’s, said, “Besides his creative talents, he’s just an all-around nice guy – sort of a modern-day Renaissance Man.”

You might just wonder what someone like Widener would have to say in the way of advice. After all, his life seems rewarding in many aspects. He lets nothing stand in the way of his pursuit of art, music, running, traveling and living life to its fullest.

“Keep an open mind, be flexible, seek the unknown, take the road less traveled, and follow your bliss,” he said.

When asked about his motto in life he said, “Keep active, follow your bliss, and eliminate the ‘ifs’ of life, stay current, and party.”

Widener is a true inspiration for anyone who loves life and recognizes it for being full of endless possibilities.

“Richard has definitely found a fountain of youth, and it may very well be his enthusiasm for never ending learning,” said Ray.