Participation in team sports was a big part of Tony Skeen’s life from an early age; however, his passion for running came later in life. He took up running on a regular basis in 2004, running around the school track while waiting for his daughter, Emily, at her team soccer practice. Once Emily got her drivers’ license and started driving herself to soccer, Tony started running several nights a week after work at the Butler trail, down the street from his LCRA office on Lake Austin Boulevard. He was hooked and soon began to train for the Austin Marathon, which he completed for the first time in 2008. The Hike and Bike Trail was his favorite place to run, clear his head, think, and get in shape. Tony loved the natural setting with which the Trail welcomed him each evening.

In March of 2013, a few weeks after he completed his sixth Austin Marathon, Tony was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. With the support of M.D. Anderson, he fought the cancer for 17 tough months; however, on July 9, 2014 he crossed the finish line of his final distance challenge. During this ultimate fight he reminded friends, family, doctors, and nurses that he was a marathoner and he was a finisher. He also advised that during the previous nine years of running on a regular basis, he had never understood what had led him to take up marathon running. However, his cancer diagnosis led him to firmly believe that his road to running and getting himself in marathon condition was meant to be, placing him in the best position possible to fight his melanoma.

Tony was a civil engineer, specializing in the design and construction of water and wastewater systems. Tony’s love for the Trail, coupled with the love he had for his profession make sponsorship of The Trail Foundation’s Heron Creek Restroom project in Tony’s name a perfect fit. Family and friends of Anthony W. ‘Tony’ Skeen are honored to sponsor the Heron Creek Restroom project to celebrate Tony’s life and to support the lasting impact this project will have on the Austinites who enjoy the Trail he loved.