Mr. Cassidy McGowan is Notre Dame Academy’s learning resource consultant and cross-country and track coach.  This is his 10th year as a staff member here at NDA. 

Among many passions in his life, running remains a big one. So far Mr. McGowan has competed in 15 marathons, having just completed the New York City Marathon this past weekend. 

Although his own PR is 2 hours and 55 minutes, at NYC he paced his brother, Tyler, who was hoping to break his PR of 3 hours and 37 minutes.  The goal was accomplished with a three-hour, 31-minute finish.

Just a year ago, Mr. McGowan experienced a serious medical issue with his heart, and it was unclear if he would ever be able to complete a marathon again, or even run for that matter. He was diagnosed with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) in late 2023.

After a year of recovery, McGowan was recently given the green light by his doctors at the Mayo Clinic to start running again. The sports cardiologist team found no ischemia or lack of oxygen to his heart while undergoing tests at his most recent visit to Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota.

“I have been cleared by the sports cardiology team at Mayo Clinic,” said McGowan.

Despite all that McGowan has endured, he continues to push himself, and his passion is fueled by his peers and the people he surrounds himself with.

“You just learn so much about yourself and what you can endure when you are running. God gave us these beautiful bodies to be used, and I have decided that running is that outlet,” said McGowan, explaining what motivates him to keep going.  “Running has led me to so many beautiful, challenging and wonderful places around the world.  Running has given me some of my best friends, whether that was my teammates in high school or even now today with the people I run with here in Green Bay.”