Man Sheds 150 Pounds To Run Pittsburgh Marathon

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Terry Jackson will blend into the crowd of the Dick's Sporting Good City of Pittsburgh Marathon this Sunday. He's one of thousands of physically fit runners trekking 26 miles through the city.

But he's a different Terry Jackson than he was just four years ago.

"I'd say probably at my heaviest, I was about 375. That was my wake-up call," says Jackson.

After graduating college, Jackson was sedentary and depressed, trapped in an endless cycle of over-eating, until he vowed to change his life for good.

"I remember coming home one time, being really frustrated with myself, and saying I can't do this anymore. I can't continue on like this," Jackson said.

KDKA's John Shumway has a look at Sunday's forecast:

His dad, Terry Jackson Sr., remembers his son getting off the couch and going for a walk. Then, he began running.

"Every day he did, and he kept doing, and he ended up losing that weight. You saw difference in him. He was back to his old self. You saw the sparkle in his eye, the determination," Terry's dad said.

Jackson began shedding the weight and entering 5Ks. Eventually, he would lose 150 pounds and set his sights on the ultimate achievement.

"Running the Pittsburgh Marathon is absolutely my life goal," he said. "Being able to run that race, being able to cross that finish line."

KDKA's Andy Sheehan has a marathon love story:

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Two years ago, Jackson ran and finished the half marathon here in Pittsburgh. Last year, he ran the full.

This Sunday, he'll be back to running the full marathon again, solidifying his path of recovery and holding out hope for others who want to change their lives.

"Just take one day at a time, and make every day worthwhile," said Jackson. "You'll get there."