LUBBOCK, Texas — A Midland man celebrated his 60th birthday by doing his favorite thing this week — running, and running far. Nopporn ‘Popcorn’ Leonard ran 60 miles on his 60th birthday while raising money for an important cause inspired by the pandemic.
“I just feel like I need to do my part giving back to the community,” said Leonard.
Leonard has raced in two marathons a year since he was 38-years-old. However, when the pandemic hit, that wasn’t possible.
“I was training for Boston Marathon and it got canceled due to Coronavirus, of course,” said Leonard. “So I was looking for something to do after that.”
He saw on the news that there was a long line at his local food bank right at the start of the pandemic. Realizing how big that need was, he decided to do something to give back.
“So I was like, Well, you know what? So my birthday, eight days before my birthday, I decided I’m gonna run 59 miles and try to collect money for West Texas Food Bank,” said Leonard.
Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published April 15, 2021.
Amy Koczera: Strategic Writer & Storyteller 
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