They met eight years ago during a pre-season get together organized by the Binghamton cross country program. They have supported each other through their running and academic careers. This past year, they navigated their way through the storm of getting married during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, the relationship between Chris Fernandez and Alexis Hatcher has only grown stronger.

Becoming Teammates and a Couple

Hatcher and Fernandez first met in August 2012 during the cross country program's first days of preseason. It was the night before the time trials and the Bearcats all got together for a pre-race meal. Fernandez was a redshirt sophomore on the men's team while Hatcher was just starting her freshman season.

 "Every year, the cross country teams would have a 5k time trial to mark the start of the season," Fernandez said. "We had a tradition to have a pasta party the night before to carbo-load for the time trial and welcome incoming freshmen to the team. Alexis was one of the incoming freshmen, and I remember walking over and noticing the cute new girl sitting at the picnic table. I remember that first time I saw her, even though it would be several years before we got to know each other well."

Although their relationship wouldn't bloom for quite some time, both Fernandez and Hatcher realized right away how competitive they both were.

"Chris and I did first meet at the pasta party during my first couple of days as a freshman," Hatcher said. "We both were playing cards with a group of the team members, the first of many games we would play together over the years, both of us discovering early on how competitive we are!"

It wasn't until two years later that the pair of runners started their relationship. Their common interest in books and movies played a significant role in their conversations.

"I developed a crush on Alexis about two years after first meeting her," Fernandez said. "We were texting each other occasionally over the summer, and at some point she recommended a book to me: Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. I immediately found a copy and read it so I'd have something else to talk about with her."

"We would have long conversations about books, movies, and ideas that lasted for entire days and nights," Hatcher said. "At some point, that started to blend into a romantic relationship that ended up being so easy because we had so much love and respect for one another. We have so much fun together always, that forming a relationship felt so easy."

Success and Adventures

The 2014 season was special for Fernandez in other ways besides starting a relationship with Hatcher. He was the co-captain of the men's team that won the America East cross country title.

"It's probably a top-ten life moment for me," he said. "That was my last season of eligibility, and my fifth year with the team. I was the old guy, and I had watched everyone else come into the program as recruits.  I remember going into the pre-race huddle and telling them that no matter what happened, that we would remember that day for the rest of our lives, so we better make it worth remembering. I ran well over 15,000 miles in my time at Binghamton, but taking home that team title is one of my brightest memories."

Hatcher, meanwhile, was part of a women's team that racked up the highest GPA in the athletic department that season. She went on to be named to the America East All-Academic Team during her career.

"Balancing athletics and academics wasn't just something I did during my time at Binghamton, it was something our whole team did and made part of the experience. Our team had the highest GPA of any sports team multiple semesters in a row, and when the people around you make academics an importance, it naturally influences the entire team. I feel really grateful that I surrounded myself with people who understood how important it was to excel and push yourself outside of your sport as well."

Fernandez and Hatcher continued their relationship after he graduated the following spring. Although they were no longer teammates, they had developed several shared interests beyond running.

"We're both pretty big foodies," Fernandez said. "We like exploring new restaurants and we enjoy cooking together too. We enjoy good storytelling, regardless of whether it's movies or books or television."

"We've had a blast doing all types of silly activities, like going for "Christmas lights runs" and ranking the decor on the houses we see," Hatcher said. "We also have such a wonderful time just talking about ideas, books, and movies, and he is my absolutely favorite person to bounce any and all thoughts off of."

Change of Plans

Hatcher and Fernandez were slated to get married this past March. That was until the COVID-19 pandemic took over everyone's lives. Just days before their wedding, they made the difficult decision to postpone the event.

"We initially postponed our wedding to mid-August, which at the time was five months away," Fernandez said. "It seemed like there would be plenty of time for the COVID crisis to resolve. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In the end, we decided to have a small wedding ceremony in August, and we have postponed our reception till next April."

"There's definitely been a lot of stress involved behind the decisions to move it, but in the end, we always knew we were making the right decision for the health and safety of the people we love most," Hatcher said. "I keep saying that I am just insanely lucky to have found such an incredible partner in life, that the biggest hurdle has been finding the date when we can make it official! And I mean, how many people can say they got to have two weddings with the same person?"

Equally as important to Hatcher and Fernandez are the lifelong friends they made through being a part of the Binghamton cross country and track programs. Many of them were a part of the ceremony and hope to return next April.

"The Binghamton Track and cross country teams have continued to be my closest friends, even years after college," Fernandez said. "We still make time to get together a couple of times a year. Almost all of my groomsmen are former Bearcat runners."

"The friends I made as part of my time on the Binghamton cross country and track team are still some of my absolute closest friends today," Hatcher said. "Most of our bridal party and people at our mini-wedding were from Binghamton! I see and talk to them incredibly often and our friendships mean so much to me."

Hatcher and Fernandez may be waiting for things to hopefully clear up in April but they continue to enjoy doing things together – now as a married couple.

"Recently, we adopted a rescue dog named Walter, so we've been taking him on lots of outdoor adventures lately," Fernandez said.

As for their running -- which brought them together in the first place – things have literally slowed down.

"We still go on runs together," Hatcher said. "But they are a lot slower and shorter than they used to be."

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