College runner honors late dad in Father's Day race

The Berkeley College cross country team is in its third year, and one of the team's first recruits ran a Father's Day race to honor his own late father. Sean Smith and Michael Lincoln have run the

News 12 Staff

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Jun 22, 2015, 1:36 AM

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Updated 3,323 days ago

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The Berkeley College cross country team is in its third year, and one of the team's first recruits ran a Father's Day race to honor his own late father.

Sean Smith and Michael Lincoln have run the race in Westwood for three straight years. While the two are not father and son, many others who participate are.

Stephen Smith died of a heart attack more than two years ago at the age of 61, right before the younger Smith graduated from Passaic Valley High School. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Running earned Smith a spot on Berkeley's cross country team, where Lincoln is head coach.

Months after the tragedy, Lincoln asked Smith to join him and his son for a Father's Day race. Smith's teammates are now part of the group, running for more than just a medal.

Crossing the finish line, Smith says his father never left him: "Dad's going to be cheering for me, wherever he is."

Smith placed third overall in his age group at the race.

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