By Karenlyn Barone
And then he ran his way out of it.
Todd Crandell's story is one of inspiration: He went from addict to athlete, from zero to zealot, and he now devotes his life to spreading his message. That message, of hope and redemption, was shared with Long Islanders at the Malverne Cinemas premiere of the film, "Addict Racing for Recovery: The Todd Crandell Story" on Thursday, Nov. 6.
"I was physically, emotionally and spiritually bankrupt," said Crandell, 36. "I was a drug addict and an alcoholic, living out of my car, but through the support of friends and family I have been able to turn my life around."
Crandell's battle with addiction started when he was in junior high school. Haunted by his drug-dependent mother's apparent suicide when he was just 3, Crandell began making destructive choices. Although a promising hockey player, he was kicked off his high school hockey team for cocaine use and then expelled from high school altogether.
"Todd always feared he would become his mother, and he did," said his father, Terry, who was separated from his wife and had custody of Todd at the time of her death.
Crandell battled his demons and thoughts of suicide as his life continued its downward spiral. He spent 13 years as a slave to his addictions, until, after a three-day drinking binge in 1993, he took his last sip and announced to himself, "No more!" Crandell joined a 12-Step Program and began the battle back from addiction and hopelessness.
"I battled every urge, and even had dreams about drugs," he said. "I've been sober for 10 years."
To reinforce his new, healthy lifestyle, Crandell began running, and found a venue for his boundless energy. Competing in Ironman triathlons, he pushed his body to new highs, swimming 2.4 miles, bicycling 112 miles and then running a marathon, 26.2 miles.
"I like to think of the triathlon as eating an elephant bite by bite," Crandell joked.
This charismatic, sober and passionate man is now a husband, father and college graduate. "You can achieve a lot more sober," said the father of three. "This is better than any high."
Crandell is now the executive director of Racing for Recovery, a non-profit organization he formed. His message is one of hope. "My mission is to share my story and help others avoid making the same mistakes I did," he said. "Racing for Recovery is dedicated to preventing substance abuse in adolescents while offering a positive alternative to those currently battling addictions."
Crandell started an Annual Racing for Recovery 5K run/walk event in his hometown of Sylvania, Ohio, and is organizing other events like it around the country.
Kathleen Hannon, 33, of Malverne, read Todd's story in Runner's World almost two years ago. A 1988 Lynbrook High School graduate and an avid runner, she was impressed, and identified with his mission of prevention and rehabilitation. She e-mailed Crandell and the two began a correspondence and a friendship.
"I felt Todd had gone through so much, and he was really trying to help kids not make the same mistakes," said Hannon. "I wanted to help him get his message out there."
When Hannon and Crandell discussed holding a Racing for Recovery event on Long Island, she approached her employer, Chase Auto Finance, a division of J.P. Morgan Chase, and it offered its support. A member of the Greater Long Island Running Club, Hannon also solicited the club's help in organizing the event. Hannon further arranged for a documentary of Crandell's life to be shown at the Malverne Cinemas in conjunction with the race. "Addict Racing for Recovery: The Todd Crandell Story" was produced by Thomas Hofbauer and Deborah Halinski, two more on a list of many who have been drawn to Crandell's past pain and current passion.
"Todd's real-life story is better than any script I could have written," said Hofbauer. "I just wanted to make sure I could do justice to his story."
Justice was more than served, according to those who watched the film's Long Island premiere Nov. 6. Robert, of Lynbrook, attended the showing and was moved to share his own story. "Todd's story really inspires you to stay straight," said the 30-year-old, who has been clean and sober for 11 months. "I'm so glad I came to see the film."
The first Racing for Recovery 5K run and 1-mile walk was held at Jones Beach three days after the premiere, with an impressive field of 450 participants.
"This is humbling; this is overwhelming," said Crandell. "I'm just taking what happened to me -- the good and the bad -- and putting it out there for the world to see. I know I can do this. I know I was meant to make a difference."
More information on Todd Crandell and Racing for Recovery can be found at www.Racing4Recovery.com.
