Kris, Alma Houghton set a world half-marathon mark

PHOENIX — When Alma Rose Montoya Houghton arrived in this world some 13 months ago, she sent her father scrambling.

On Sunday, her father was on the run again, this time with her.

And it resulted in a little bit of running history.

Kris Houghton, escorting baby Alma, set a world record for running a half-marathon with a stroller at Sunday’s PF Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon and Half Marathon.

For father and daughter, it further sealed a running tie between them.

Houghton, a multiple La Luz Trail winner, was attempting to qualify for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials in Sacramento, Calif., in early December, 2011.

Albuquerque runner Kris Houghton, with his 13-month-old daughter Alma, competed in the Rock and Roll half-marathon in Phoenix. (courtesy of dianne wilson)

But, at 2:45 a.m., just hours before he was to run, his wife, Maria Montoya called. She was about to give birth.

So instead of running for the Olympics, he raced home.

Now, 13 months later, Kris and Alma joined about 27,000 participants in Phoenix.

They completed the half-marathon in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 11 seconds — first among those with strollers and 14th overall.

“She didn’t want me to run without her,” Houghton says.

Houghton plans to run a marathon in El Paso next month. Don’t tell Alma, but he plans to run alone.
— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal