A Penn Relays Story - Running for the Love of Mom

The Perry brothers, Menchville track stars in the 1970's
and early 80's recently reunited to run the 4x400
in a Master's race at the Penn Relays as a tribute
ti their ailing mother.

On a terribly sad note, Mrs. Mary Perry passed away on May 22, 2012. I was not aware of her death before posting this. I do feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to tell this story while Mrs. Perry was with us.


Within the confines of the Newport News track and Menchville athletic Hall of Fames, the Perry brothers have built their own wing. Over the period from the mid-1970’s to early 1980’s, the brothers dominated local and state high school track and helped the Monarchs, under coach Steve Lewis (now with Hampton University), to three consecutive state titles from 1979-1981.

Each brother had his own niche. Clifton owned the middle distances, winning a state title in record time in the 880 in 1975, followed by a high school national record in the 600-yard run the following year, a record which still stands. James was a half-miler who competed on Menchville’s school record 4x880 yard relay. He also ran cross-country.

Eric was a three-time high and intermediate hurdles state champion who earned All-American status. Ray was also a state champion in the 330-yard intermediate hurdles. In all, the Perry’s built their legacy on excellence.

The Perry brothers, in uniform surrounding
their mother, Mary

It was a trait inherited from their mother Mary. Last November, the family gathered for Mary’s 80^th birthday celebration. On that day, all of the Perry brothers celebrated their mother to the tune of the Intruders “I’ll Always Love My Mama,” while each brother (nine, in all) presented a single gold rose to their matriarch. It was a special day for Mary and her 14 children.

Just weeks later and three days after Christmas, Mary complained of stomach pain and was taken to the hospital emergency room. The doctors’ initial prognosis was confirmed and in early January of this year, Mary was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, essentially a terminal condition.

Now in hospice care, the Perry’s all realize that their mother doesn’t have much time left on Earth. Still, her spirit continues to inspire.

Says Eric, “She is such a fighter. Her spirit is so strong as is her passion for love and passion for life.”

Now a detention officer in Texas, Eric wished to share one of the stories which best describes this passion.

“My mother has a favorite window at the home. Every day, there’s a squirrel that comes up to her window as if he knows she is going to be there. Mom even gave the squirrel a name… “Runner.” We like to say that the squirrel is sending nature to her window every day.”

Now in their 50’s, five of the brothers (Mike was added as an alternate runner) decided to bond and compete one more time in honor of their mother. For this moment, they turned back to their track background. Thinking of the prestigious Penn Relays meet in Philadelphia, they signed on to run, as a 1600-meter relay. Under the moniker “Sons of Mary,” the brothers entered the 50-and-older Masters race. Uniforms were designed and pictures were taken to commemorate the event.

Last Saturday, the brothers took to the track at Franklin Field, to relive their past glory in front of the 42,000 fans who commonly attend the last three days of the meet. Ray led off, followed by Eric, James and finally Clifton with the anchor leg. Their time of 4:15.13 was good enough for ninth place of 22 teams. But for the brothers, the placing and time were only a secondary matter.

Added Eric, “We wanted to have an opportunity, before the Lord calls her over, for our mother to see her sons together, focusing on one cause … one more lap.

And even though she was in Newport News at the time, on that sunny Friday in Philadelphia, Mary Perry’s presence was indeed alive, in the form of her five sons.