WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A Central Texas mom who turned to running to cope after her teenage son was killed in an accident in 2015 just completed a full marathon with a third-place finish and a personal record.
Lorna Hering, 55, of McGregor, completed the Fort Worth Marathon Sunday running 26.2 miles in an impressive time of four hours and 28 minutes.
The McGregor High School English teacher said she thinks running helped save her life after her 15-year-old son Rhett died when his UTV flipped near the family’s driveway in December of 2015.
Lorna Hering told KWTX she thinks running helped save her life after her 15-year-old son Rhett died when his UTV flipped near the family’s driveway in December of 2015.(Courtesy Photos)
“I always loved running but never knew how much I would need running to help me survive the worst loss of my life,” Lorna told KWTX.
Rhett was a shining star in the community of McGregor, serving as McGregor’s student body president and quarterback of its football team.
He was celebrated by peers and adults for his kindness to everyone and his death sparked the creation of a nonprofit called “The Rhett Revolution,” which exists to uplift the community of McGregor.
Rhett Hering
Lorna’s first half marathon in 2015 was just prior to Rhett’s death.
“He wrote me a note of encouragement to read during the race that said, ‘keep on hammering.’ I never intended to run any more races, but I’m sure glad I ‘kept on hammering’ because it has brought me so many good things,” Lorna said.
When Rhett died, Lorna turned to her faith, her family, her friends and the pavement.
She recalls a time jogging after Rhett’s death in which she sat down on a trail to cry when an elderly couple stopped to check on her.
“It was so healing,” Lorna recalls.
And so has every run been since.
Lorna has now completed five marathons and 11 half marathons since 2022 when she ran her first full marathon in five hours and 36 minutes.(Courtesy Photo)
“I will always be thankful for my ability and love of running,” Lorna said. “It helped heal my broken heart and gave me an outlet to process the grief of losing my boy.”
Lorna said, instead of sadness, her long runs now bring her peace.
“I cried so many tears and ran so many miles after losing Rhett,” Lorna said. “In time, the tears turned to prayers and memories and now I feel peace when I run.”
Lorna has now completed five marathons and 11 half marathons since 2022 when she ran her first full marathon in five hours and 36 minutes.
Her Fort Worth time was her best yet by 17 minutes.
Lorna has logged 1,112 miles so far this year competing in both Texas and New York.
“My ultimate goal is to quality for Boston, but that is a really lofty goal,” Lorna said.
Lorna is married to Waco lawyer Jimmy Hering who served as mayor of McGregor for 26 years before stepping down in 2024.
The couple has two other children, Ryan, 26 , and Mara, 22.
Ryan also recently married.
The Herings help families who have lost children with a nonprofit they started called Archway of Hope.
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