Matthew has run the Ogden Marathon since age 9 and competes in cross country, showing incredible dedication, grit and heart.
You decide who will be named Youth Athlete of the Year to take home $25,000 and represent 3Brand in Sports Illustrated and on CBS
What is Youth Athlete of the Year?
Learn MoreWhat I love most about running is pushing myself and seeing what I’m capable of. I love the challenge, competition, and feeling of crossing the finish line knowing I gave it everything I had. I’ve been running the Ogden Marathon since I was 9, and cross country has taught me discipline, perseverance, and to never give up.
My mom is my biggest inspiration. She’s always pushing me to keep going, making sure I recover, eat well, and stay committed. She takes me to every race and is always there cheering the loudest. My coaches, teammates, and family also inspire me to work hard, stay humble, and never give up.
The moment I’m most proud of is finishing 4th overall out of 547 runners in the 2026 Ogden Marathon 5K. I pushed myself as hard as I could, and crossing that finish line knowing all my training and hard work had paid off was an incredible feeling. It showed me what I’m capable of when I don’t give up.
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Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
