Road to Joy

Jack Cutler's dream is to compete in the Olympics as his father, Jay Cutler, had before him. But Jack suffers a horrific fall while sprinting for the lead in the last lap at the 2008 Olympic Qualifying Trials. Even though Jack's dream is seemingly over, Jay guides him to Georgetown law school, and helps restore his love for running. Later, he inspires him to try again for the Olympics. Jack qualifies to run in the marathon at the XXX Olympiad in London, but a devastating medical diagnosis threatens his ability to compete. Distraught, Jack turns to Samantha Summers, his law school study partner. While they share a close friendship, neither has risked revealing their desire for it to grow much deeper. To provide perspective, Sam takes Jack to the cancer clinic where she works and introduces him to Jean-Pierre de Montaine, a young boy courageously battling cancer. Jack and Jean-Pierre quickly bond. The young boy inspires Jack to conceive of an event that would unite runners from all over in a charitable race, a World Marathon Grand Championship. Sam encourages Jack to continue chasing his Olympic dream. Will Jack prove his father’s promise that once in every life comes a dream so grand it has to come true? With a surprise finish that is as unique as it is uplifting, Road to Joy is a transformative book that speaks to the power of pursuing your dream with everything in your heart,

Jack Cutler's dream is to compete in the Olympics as his father, Jay Cutler, had before him. But Jack suffers a horrific fall while sprinting for the lead in the last lap at the 2008 Olympic Qualifying Trials. Even though Jack's dream is seemingly over, Jay guides him to Georgetown law school, and helps restore his love for running. Later, he inspires him to try again for the Olympics. Jack qualifies to run in the marathon at the XXX Olympiad in London, but a devastating medical diagnosis threatens his ability to compete. Distraught, Jack turns to Samantha Summers, his law school study partner. While they share a close friendship, neither has risked revealing their true desire for it to grow into something much deeper. To provide some perspective, Sam takes Jack to the pediatric cancer clinic where she works and introduces him to Jean-Pierre de Montaine, a 10-year-old boy courageously battling cancer. Jack and Jean-Pierre quickly bond. The young boy inspires Jack to conceive of an event that would unite runners from all over in a charitable race – a World Marathon Grand Championship. Sam encourages Jack to continue chasing his Olympic dream. Will the feelings that Jack and Sam have for each other grow into something deeper? Will Jack’s medical condition allow him to run an Olympic marathon and find a way to help Jean-Pierre and others like him all over the world? Will Jack prove his father’s promise that once in every life comes a dream so grand it just has to come true? With a surprise finish that is as unique as it is uplifting, Road to Joy is a transformative book that speaks to the power of pursuing your dream with everything in your heart.

Robert Donnally has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He practiced law for almost 20 years in Silicon Valley, and currently works at The George Washington University. He has completed the San Francisco, Big Sur and Las Vegas marathons. Robert lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and their daughter.