A Cochrane runner is gaining some serious attention.

Eighteen year old Alex Howells has been running since he was 9, and it took a few years before Howells hit his stride; now it is paying off big time. Howells first race was at 12 years old at the annual Footstock race in Cochrane, and was noticed by the University of Calgary.

After years of running for the University of Calgary Athletic Club, he is now running with the SAIT Trojans on a scholarship. This endurance runner trains six days a week to keep in shape to compete. 

Howells was also part of the team at UCAC that took home silver in the Canadian Championships and also named to the Alberta Cross Country team, where he came 3rd in Alberta. 

Last year he managed to place 12 overall at the Junior Nationals, while struggling with the flu. He will be headed back there this summer to try it again, hopefully feeling better, and improving his time.

"I am focusing on running the Junior Nationals this summer. I was sick last year and didn't run as well as I could have."

Howell says running is one of his favorite things to do.  It clears his mind and he gets the runners high.

"It’s kind of hard to explain, but there is a sense of freedom when I run."