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Michael Westphal grew up on Great Cranberry Island and went on to become one of the state’s top distance runners. In his prime, he was running miles in the low 4s and marathons in the 2:20 range, competing with some of the best runners in New England. But Michael’s story took a turn when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his 50s — a condition that affects movement and coordination and could have easily ended his running career for good. Instead, he did something remarkable. Michael returned to running, discovered that movement actually helped manage his symptoms, qualified again for the Boston Marathon decades after his first appearance there, and has since used his running to raise awareness and money for Parkinson’s research. His story is about grit, resilience, and the power of putting one foot in front of the other — no matter what life throws your way.