Prison Inmate Grabs the Attention of Sporting World After His Emotional Gesture Towards Prison Guard

In a one-of-a-kind moment in sporting history, a prison inmate awes the world with an amazing tribute. In a noble cause, trying to raise money for the family of a deceased friend, Timothy Gridley ran a 31-mile ultra-marathon inside the prison. What’s even more surprising? The friend was a former prison guard.

Unlikely Friendship Creates Something Beautiful

A few years ago, Timothy Gridley got into a heated situation inside prison. He was in a verbal altercation with a prison guard, when Officer Humerto Ayala stepped in to deescalate. Officer Ayala also made sure things were resolved properly, ensuring that Gridley got away without getting any punishment.

This was the moment that created an unlikely friendship. Between a convict and a prison guard.

“When I’d see him in the morning, he’d tell me ‘Good morning,’ and we might joke about our sports team. Just like two men talking. not an officer, not an inmate, just two men who built a relationship,”?Gridley said in an interview with CBS.

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Unfortunately, this friendship did not last very long, as Officer Ayala met an untimely demise due to a car crash. This caused tumultuous grief within Gridley, who was well aware of Ayala’s personal life.?“I know his son is a teenager now, and I know it must be tough losing a dad”

Selfless run raises $7108

Gridley initially started running as his own way to deal with grief, until an idea stuck him.?“I’ve always been a selfish person, and now I feel like I’m doing something selfless helping others,” he stated.

He began to race with the motive of raising money for the deceased officer’s family. He wanted to raise $5000, from the prison staff and guards, who happily agreed to the cause. People pledged donations for every single mile that the inmate runs. This is the reason why instead of the traditional 26.2 miles, Timothy chose to go the figurative extra mile, and do 31 instead.

This athletic feat, which lasted close to 6 hours (5 hours and 53 minutes), raised over $7100, much to the delight of everyone involved.

Associate Warden Ed Borla commented on the improved conditions within the Salinas maximum facility prison, and stated that just a few years ago, a run like this would have been?“unthinkable.”

“This is special. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life, for sure,”?commented the delighted inmate. Timothy is up for parole in a couple of month’s time, and hopes to continue running in marathons to raise money for different causes.

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