Sam Bobbitt hit start on his race watch and crossed the start line with quiet confidence, the early morning air of the 2025 Wilmington Marathon brushing against his face.
Alongside him ran a small pack of familiar strides — current and former Laney athletes , each shaped in part by his 21 years as the Bucs’ cross-country and track coach. This wasn’t about chasing personal bests or proving himself. For Bobbitt, it was about shared miles, steady pace and the kind of joy that only comes from running with those you’ve helped grow, step by step.
1.6 miles in, however, the 56-year-old’s life would change forever…