A 100 mile trail run through the beautiful wooded forest of Umstead Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Every mile was dedicated to someone both inspiring and special.
Please see the names/bios below to learn a bit about these amazing people.
| Mile | Name | DEDICATION | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mile 1 | Lance Armstrong | In Honor | At age 25, Lance Armstrong was one of the world's best cyclists. He proved it by winning the World Championships, the Tour Du Pont, and multiple Tour de France stages. Lance Armstrong seemed invincible and the future ahead was bright indeed. Then they told him he had cancer. Next to the challenge he now faced, bike racing seemed insignificant. The diagnosis was testicular cancer, the most common cancer in men aged 15-35. If detected early, its cure rate is a promising 90%. Like most young, healthy men, Lance ignored the warning signs, and never imagined the seriousness of his condition. Going untreated, the cancer had spread to Lance's abdomen, lungs, and brain. His chances dimmed. Then, with a combination of physical conditioning and a strong support system Lance's competitive spirit took over. He declared himself not a cancer victim but a cancer survivor, hell bent on living strong. He took an active role in educating himself about his disease and the treatment. Armed with knowledge and confidence in medicine, he underwent aggressive treatment and beat the disease. During treatment, before his recovery, before he even knew his own fate, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This marked the beginning of Lance Armstrong's life as a leader for cancer survivors and a world representative for the cancer community. Although Lance Armstrong's victories in the 1999-2004 Tours de France are sweet, the battle against cancer has just begun-not just for him, but for all cancer survivors and people just like him who think cancer could not affect them. Lance Armstrong plans to lead this fight, and he hopes that you join him. This is a life he owes to cancer. This is a choice to live strong. |
| Mile 2 | Karol Ganik | In Memory | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 3 | Anthony Richards | In Memory | Anthony Richards should be remembered as a wonderful father, grandfather, businessman, volunteer and, most importantly, friend to all who were fortunate to know him. Tony was a giver. He touched many lives - some he probably didn't even know - through his days in the Navy and later as a volunteer involved with many worthy causes. Tony's home was always a warm, happy haven for children and adults alike. His love is reflected every day in the lives of his children and their children. |
| Mile 4 | Dick Bittner | In Memory | Dick Bittner was my brother who died 10 years ago at the age of 43 from lung cancer. He was given a complete physical on January 15 that said he was in perfect health, on February 14 he was in a coma and rushed to the hospital and March 1 he died. He never knew he had cancer. |
| Mile 5 | Betty Wallace | In Memory | I would not be the person I am today if it was not for my mother. She encouraged me to dream, to set goals and then go after them. I always had a great deal of support from my mom. I am truly grateful she was in my life for the 23 years that she was. I learned from my mom what strength was all about. It's hard for me to imagine the challenges my mother experienced and how she was able to cope. In 1979, my father suffered an aneurism while he was up in an apple tree, in our backyard, doing regular spring pruning. My father spent four months in the hospital recovering. During this time my mom spent everyday at the hospital. My father experienced his second aneurism during his stay at the hospital, surviving only two more months, in a coma. Almost a year after my Dad died, my brother Jim was in a terrible car accident. Complications had cut off the oxygen supply to his brain, resulting in permanent brain damage. This was another huge blow to our family resulting in a greater burden was placed on my mother. In addition to coping with the death of my father she now needed to locate fulltime, lifetime care for my brother. Four years passed, I was sixteen years old. My mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Treatment was swift, and there was hope. My best years with my mom were when I decided to end my high school career early, and go into business with her. I was seventeen and didn't want to spend time wasted at school when my mom might only have 12 months to live. She supported my decision to open my bicycle store and take on the role of being my accountant. This period of time allowed us to deeply bond, connecting us on an entirely different level. I learned a lot about my father because my mother told me lessons he learned during his life of being a businessman. My mom and I ended up building a lucrative business. Five years after her second bought of cancer, the tumors took over once again. Three weeks later, she passed. It has been ten years, I miss her dearly, but she still has a major effect on me every day. I love and miss you mom. |
| Mile 6 | John Yun | In Memory | John Yun, my father-in-law, died from lung cancer. We miss him dearly. |
| Mile 7 | Jeff Williams | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 8 | Dr. Robyn Hardy | In Memory | Robyn Hardy, born 7/7/27 in New Orleans, LA, wanted to be an architect when he grew up, but had to settle on being a physician like his father. He had a searing intellect coupled with a great sense of curiosity which manifested itself in different avenues over the course of his life. As a young man with a growing family, he cultivated orchids in the greenhouse he built on the back of our home. Later in life, he became known as an expert and authority on the duck and bird decoys he so fondly collected. He avidly sought out art, both in museums and for his own home, often dragging us to events and places even though we protested mightily. You couldn't play Trivial Pursuit with him; he knew all the answers so you never got to roll the dice for the first time. He loved sports, even the poorly performing Saints of the early years, and could often be found yelling at the baseball players on the television set. In his final job as the head of radiology in a major hospital, he would get all his best feedback and information when he went from area to area, rummaging through the garbage cans, picking out the aluminum cans for recycling. (This was back in the 80's so he was ahead of his time!) The lower level staff thought he was simply eccentric, and would ignore him while they chatted amongst themselves while doing their work. But those overheard conversations gave him great insight into to what made his department tick, what the real issues were and how he could keep his staff most productive and happy. In the end though, it was his own medical skill he used to diagnose the cancer that would end his life. It was a terrible frustration to his colleagues and other doctors that they were unable to stop the metastisized lung cancer and all it did to his body as he slowly and painfully succumbed over the last 5 months of his life. In short, he was quirky and brilliant, difficult and funny, flawed and amazing. But most of all, he was my daddy and I loved him. Thank you to each of you who run this mile for Robyn Hardy and all the promise your efforts bring to the cancer families of tomorrow. I appreciate it. - Ann |
| Mile 9 | M. Leonard | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 10 | John Hubley | In Memory | Deacon John Hubley, father of 6 kids, sang in church choir. He worked for Prudential Insurance for about 28 years, and after he was laid off, started his own business in home repairs, "J. Hubley & Sons" which was much more up his alley anyhow. He was infameous for his ridiculous sense of humor, his favorite joke in the world was "Did you hear about the Indian who drank 10 gallons of tea a day? The poor guy drowned in his tea-pee". He hated mushrooms and black olives. He and my mom took us to the beach every summer, and one year my brother Jimmy started drifting out in an undertow, and my dad dove in and saved him. He coached my softball team when i was 14. My dad was diagnosed with cancer October 31, 2001. He had completed 3 out of 4 years of the deaconate program in the Catholic Church, so on April 6, 2002, the Bishop came to our home, and ordained him a deacon in his hospital bed. He died 3 days later. |
| Mile 11 | Alexander Oden | In Honor | Diagnosed with germinoma, a germ cell brain tumor, in August 2000 at the age of 12, Alex spent the following four years making a significant impact in the fight against cancer. During his recovery from a bone marrow transplant, Alex and his mother began training together for a sprint triathlon. He used the race to raise $8,500 in pledges for Tee Up For Tots, a grassroots foundation that supports families affected by pediatric cancer. The success of the event inspired his family to support Alex through many more races and charity events. He helped raise a substantial amount of funds for a number of cancer organizations, including nearly $35,000 in three years for the LAF's major fundraising program, the Peloton Project. "I grew up fast," Alex said after joining the Peloton. "I try not to let a day go by without doing something meaningful." |
| Mile 12 | John Aldenbrook | In Honor | John is an absolute gentleman, wearer of fine hats. He's a kind and generous soul who cares about others without complaint. He's also my good friend and is bravely fighting bone and prostate cancer. John took care of his beloved Patti, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, until she passed away last year. He is one of my best friends, like an alternate father to me. Best Wishes! -Bill |
| Mile 13 | Blair Nicholas | In Memory | Blair Nicholas passed away after a brief but fierce battle with cancer at the age of 53. He was a devoted husband to Barbara, and together they raised three great children. Blair taught countless students the importance of history as it relates to current events during his 30 year teaching career. He was an avid sports fan and passed along his love for sport (especially the Boston Red Sox) to his children. He left behind cherished memories of lazy summer afternoons on the porch of his home on the coast of Maine listening to the Red Sox on the radio and waves lapping the shore. Blair was a selfless and giving person, and the best dad in the world. |
| Mile 14 | Wes Cheng | In Honor | Wes just finished Chemo in November for his Colon Cancer. I've worked with Wes for 5 years and he is a good friend. He is married to a Professor at Purdue they have two sons (one in college and the other in high school). Wes owns his own computer consulting firm and is a wonderful, wonderful person. |
| Mile 15 | Robin Greene | In Honor | Robin is the widow of Larry Greene (mile #65), and she is fighting her own battle with cancer right now. We all wish her a speedy recovery. |
| Mile 16 | Frank M. Fisher & Thomas D. Triumph | In Honor | Thought it appropriate to combine my father-in-law, and dad in the same dedication as they're both cancer surivors (and inspiring men). They've both been cancer free for several years, and will be at the Umstead run encouraging all the runners. |
| Mile 17 | Gulshan Kumar Lamba | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 18 | Anne Marie Knizek | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 19 | Thomas Brown | In Honor | My step dad, Thomas Brown is a cancer survivor. He fought lymphoma and has been cancer free for 5 years. His "new wife" (they've been married about 15 years) Gerrie Brown also is a cancer survivor (mile #20). |
| Mile 20 | Gerrie Brown | In Honor | Gerrie Brown, wife of Thomas Brown (mile #19) also is a cancer survivor. She had lung cancer, but thankfully they caught it in the earliest stages by accident before she was even showing any symptoms. She has been cancer free for 3 years. |
| Mile 21 | Mary Lombardi | In Memory | Mary was a very special women and a loving mom. She is missed by everyone who knew her, and of course especially by her family. |
| Mile 22 | Cindy Sullivan | In Memory | Cindy Sullivan died in 1992 at the age of 29 from a rare form of cancer. She was born and raised in Wellesley, MA., graduated from Boston College in 1979 and became a grade school teacher. Throughout high school and college she taught tap dancing at her mother's dance studio. |
| Mile 23 | Jeff Williams | In Honor | Jeff is courageously battling pancreatic cancer and living strong! |
| Mile 24 | Pat Coates | In Memory | Pat passed away last May from a rare but aggressive form of liver cancer. She lived in Tucson Arizona. Pat was a very nice and caring person. She was in her 50s, and was married to Wayne (an ultrarunner in Tucson). Pat was not a runner, but volunteered at many of the ultras, and crewed for her husband at 100 milers and took photographs. I met Pat and Wayne at the 2003 Western State training camp. In March last year, I went to Tucson to run the Old Pueblo 50 Miler. 17 miles into the event I took a bad fall and gashed my right elbow and knee. I finished the 50mi run, and Pat was at the finish line to help me with the elbow. The first aid team could not get all of the gravel out. So Pat took me to the hospital ER and stayed with me there (literally all night) while we waited for my elbow and knee to be x-rayed and cleaned up. She was diagnosed with the cancer shortly after that-- in late March/early April. The doctors told her that it was so far advanced there was little they could do for her, but that she had 1-2 years to live. Sadly, this turned out not to be the case. She died about 4 weeks after being diagnosed in early May. It was such a sad and sudden loss of life. -Linda |
| Mile 25 | Dave Combs | In Honor | Five years ago today, March 23, 2000, was the date I had a bone-marrow transplant for a very rare form of cancer. I went in today for the five-year bone-marrow biopsy (an oh-so-fun procedure involving a big needle in the back of the hip :-) -- actually, it's not all THAT bad) and some blood tests. Meeting with the BMT doctor afterward, he said "initial test results look great, and normally for somebody with a cancer similar to lymphoma, five years is the time when we consider the patient "cured". I may not use the word myself too much (don't want to jinx things), but I sure like the sound of it! Cheers! |
| Mile 26 | Joe Malone | In Honor | Joe Malone lives in South Carolina, and is a father of eight children and a very proud grandfather. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. |
| Mile 27 | John Davis | In Honor | John is my friend and running partner, and since last fall he has been battling cancer and running through chemo and embolisations of the tumor. He finished a 50K a month or so after his first chemo, and just this last weekend a small group of us ran up a local mountain at dawn (his idea). He did as well as any of us! John is very involved in running and is a true inspiration. |
| Mile 28 | Betsy Broome | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 29 | Ansel Dilley | In Memory | Ansel Dilley was proudest of his children and grandchildren. High on that same list were his associations with professional sports and his days as a U S Marine. Though he often appeared unassuming, his stories spanned the skies photographing the Blue Angels as well as every facet of professional sport as a photographer, sportswriter and publicity manager. Through these various media he had more than casual contact with the likes of Joe Namath, Wilt Chamberlain and Ted Williams. These interests might have been spurred by youthful chance encounters with Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart. These associations paled, however, compared to the stories of starting the Cedar Grove Junior Baseball League. This to him was the true beauty of sport, unencumbered by the trappings so prevalent today. This may well be his greatest legacy in life. |
| Mile 30 | Joe Lane | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 31 | Shelby Hayden | In Honor | Shelby Hayden had a lump on her throat ever since high school but never had any problem with pain or discomfort so we ignored it for years. In the meatime Shelby became a competitive triathlete doing as well as 13th in the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon. Then she became an ultra-cyclist becoming the first woman to finish the transcontinental bike race (Race Across AMerica- RAAM). It was after her last RAAM attempt that she got medical insurance and we got her lump examined because sometimes it would interfere with her ability to breathe. The lump turned out to be malignant thyroid cancer which she had mostly surgically removed and then the remainder was irradiated. Following a rapid recovery she changed her athletic emphasis to ultrarunning and did very well for a few years until she lost interest in racing. She has come in 4th at Western States 100 and has won such notable Eastern U.S. races as Mtn. Masochist 50 miler, the JFK 50 miler and the Shut-in-Ridge Trail run. Shelby is still a current NC resident and 18 year cancer survivor. |
| Mile 32 | Brad Kirn | In Honor | Please dedicate a mile to the brave son of a very dear friend of mine. His son, Brad, is bravely battling cancer. |
| Mile 33 | Jerry Armstrong | In Memory | Jerry Armstrong was my husbands father who died at the age of 50 from pancreatic cancer about 15 years ago. |
| Mile 34 | Mac Sayers | In Memory | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 35 | Peter Harris | In Memory | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 36 | Barbara Masulovich | In Honor | Barbara is one of two daughters born to my Aunt Barbara and Uncle John. She is married to Bob and has three daughters: Barbara (Barb), Lisa and Christine, and four grandchildren. By the way my grandmother's name was Barbara also -- Yep, that's 5 generations of Barbara's. Barbara is a retired elementary school teacher and she and her husband live in Ohio. Bob is retired also and was an executive with an oil company. They lived in Tripoli, Libya in the 1950's when their children were little. They are a very lively, fun loving, and quite an interesting couple who are greatly admired and cherished. Thanks! |
| Mile 37 | Susan Hamermesh | In Honor | Susie is fighting skin cancer and living strong. |
| Mile 38 | Cal Loss | In Honor | Though I have lost my father and several good friends to cancer, I would like to dedicate a mile to someone in his second battle against the big C. Cal Loss is the Academic Dean at a Community College. He was supposed to be retired by now, but after over 40 years of work as a teacher and administrator he is continuing to work 60 hour weeks to make the college work as it goes through a change in leadership. All this while he starts chemo for a new round of cancer, just discovered. He fought, won, and returned to work after the first bout. We are all praying that he is successful with this battle. I have run several fundraisers for cancer research in this area. Run strong! - Jason Howard |
| Mile 39 | Irving Cohen | In Memory | The Cohen and Wolf families mourn the passing of Irving Cohen in the summer of 2004 from colon cancer and lymphoma. A kosher butcher for almost 50 years, Irving was the loving husband of Rita, father of Marti, Steven, and Janice, father-in-law of Michael and Mark, and grandfather of Jason, Evan, Daniel, Brian, Allie, and Laura. He will be deeply missed forever by all of us. |
| Mile 40 | Brenda Krivak | In Memory | I would like to dedicate a mile to my amazing mother, Brenda Krivak, who passed away on April 6, 1996 after a two-year battle with kidney cancer. My earliest memories of her are of time outside: She introduced me to running (on the track, when I was very young and she still ran) and backpacking in the wilderness, and inspired in me a long-term love of living a healthy, whole life. When I dig deep into myself while out on the trails, I often look to her for inspiration. I know she's out there running and hiking along with me, splashing through mountain creeks and breathing in the sweet smells of sage and cedar, feeling the ocean spray on her cheeks and the blood pounding through our muscles. Brenda had the most honest, pure love of life of anyone I have ever known and I yearn to live my life as peacefully as she lived hers. Thank you. - Flora |
| Mile 41 | Glenn E. Hickman | In Memory | Thanks for remembering my dad on your run. His name was Glenn Earl Hickman. He was born in Edinburgh, Ohio (not far from Akron) on August 24th, 1932. He grew up in this small farming community with his parents, two sisters and brother. He lived in Ohio most of his life. He attended Ohio State University and worked in Sales for many years for Western Union. He was married to my Mom, Marcia Wheeler Hickman, for 27 years and they had 3 children. He was a devoted husband and father and is greatly missed by his family. Glenn was a fun-loving man and enjoyed socializing with family and friends. He was very active in his church, serving on the Parish Committee, singing in the choir playing on the church softball team and helping where ever he was needed. He volunteered weekly at local food banks and served the poor in food kitchens for many years. He went on several mission trips to Haiti, and was the leader/ organizer of one trip. Glenn was a active member of the Akron Lions Club and actively raised money for that organization to help the blind. Glenn always looked forward to a 2 week family vacation at the family cabin on a secluded lake in New York. There he loved to sail, canoe, and relax in the sunshine. Glenn battled Colon Cancer for many years and died, much too young, at the age of 57 on May 8th, 1990. He is remembered, and missed by those who loved him. Thanks, Lynne |
| Mile 42 | Louise Cooper | In Honor | I'd like to dedicate a mile to Louisa Cooper. I crewed for Louisa at Badwater in 2003, and she likely doesn't need a whole lot of introduction in the ultra world. Louisa beat breast cancer just in time to run Badwater in 1999 -- and was the 2nd female finisher! She's an awesome runner, and a terrific human being in general! Louisa wrote that "Life continues to be fun and challenging, filled with wonderful adventures to experience." Louisa is a great example of Living Strong! - Marcia Rasmussen |
| Mile 43 | Edith Kornbluth | In Memory | Edith Kornbluth was an immigrant from Poland and Holocaust survivor. She lived for many years in Jackson, NJ on a chicken farm and raised two kids with her husband of 55 years, William. She had several bouts with cancer over the years, beginning with two bouts with colon cancer in her 50's and finally succumbed to cancer of the spine on March 10, 2005. She was very active in the community and left behind many good friends. |
| Mile 44 | Elwood "Woody" and Yvonne Toft | In Memory | I am inspired by your mission and am also a strong supporter of LAF. I have now lost both parents to cancer. My dad died of a rare carcinoma when I was only 20 and in college. Losing my dad was very devastating. His cancer was a very bad one and he suffered with pain and the anguish of knowing he would die so young. It held no hope of treatment as they could not find a source and it was anaplastic and rare. At the very young age of 53, my dad was in the prime of his life. He had just retired from The Federal Bureau of Prisons as their west coast regional Director and was about to begin teaching criminology at UCSF. His cancer was called "terminal" and my mom and my little sisters and I were very scared. We all stuck together and thankfully as a nurse my mom could take care of him at home. My dad died in September only 5 months after we found out what he had. I am the person I am today because of my dad - Woody Toft, and I would like to dedicate this to him. This past June my mom was diagnosed with advanced metastatic liver cancer. I think she knew for a long time she wasn't well but tried to protect me and my two younger sisters from the horrible pain of this disease once again. She died only one week after the diagnosis. It was 10 days before I was supposed to run my second 100 miler, Western States. I wasn't sure if I would start the race or not but I did. It wasn't the same as the first year. The excitement was gone, I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Thirty miles into the run, I hurt all over and didn't know why. I wanted to quit and I never quit. The long stretch alone between miles 30 and 55 where my pacer was waiting made me realize that I had to keep going and finish for my mom. It was the hardest run I ever did. I barely made it and was the last woman to finish. I would like to dedicate this to my mom, Yvonne Toft, who I miss very much. - Karen |
| Mile 45 | Kim A. Selimo | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 46 | Don & Gayle Graham | In Memory | Both of my grandparents died from cancer. My grandfather, Don Graham died of prostrate cancer in 1984, and my grandmother Gayle Graham died from brain cancer. They are missed. |
| Mile 47 | Ann Farrell | In Honor | Ann is a very kind women who adores her grandchildren. Her grandchildren have all contributed in the fight against this disease, and we love her dearly. |
| Mile 48 | Linda Van Horn | In Honor | Linda is currently battling cancer and living strong! |
| Mile 49 | Kathleen Guth | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 50 | Roger Monroe Clifton | In Memory | I would like to dedicate a mile to my father. It means a lot to me for several reasons. For one, I really like the Umstead race- the people there are great and the course is simple but not too easy. Mostly though, because of all the ultras I have done, Umstead is the only one my father went to and watched me run - and I "lucked out" to have a good race and won that year. Also, my dad was a native North Carolinian and doing this at the only NC 100 is also great. My father died of lung cancer last Julym the day before the Grandfather Mtn. Marathon, a race he often came and watched me run. My father's name was Roger Monroe Clifton. He was born June 12th, 1934 (my birthday is June 11th). Sadly, he died of lung cancer on July 9th, 2004. He served in the Air Force, and was present for the final stages of the Korean conflict. My father was a man everyone could always count on - whether in times of trouble or joy. He was always very supportive of all my athletic endeavors and accompanied (took) me to several races from 10ks to a 100 miler, and of course, mostly many marathons. I miss him not only at the races, but in the world. Thanks and happy trails, - Eric |
| Mile 51 | Alexandra Cantelon | In Memory | This is a dedication to my beautiful daughter, Alexandra, who epitomized courage and tenacity during her four-year journey through childhood cancer. In the spring of 1996, my daughter Alexandra was diagnosed at the Hospital for Sick Children with Leukemia, Cancer of the blood. Alexandra was 7 years old at the time, with a 9-year old brother, and younger twin siblings, aged four. That spring plunged our family into the devastating and challenging world of childhood cancer, a four-year journey of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, medication, the highs of remissions, the lows of relapses, and when all else failed, a bone marrow transplant. A true humanitarian, Alexandra was courageous, loving, protective of her brothers and sister, vivacious, enthusiastic, optimistic, loving, kind, stubborn, tenacious and relentless in her fight against cancer. After three long, arduous years of chemotherapy treatment, our family began the final countdown of treatments remaining for Alexandra. In the spring of 1999, Alexandra came home from the hospital-for a short while. She passed away just before her 11th birthday. Upon reflection as a mother, I realize that Alexandra was sent here for a purpose, and her purpose has been completed. She has positively affected more people in her short, humble life than most of us could only hope to. She was born into this world a child, but she left this earth as the teacher. Her courage and tenacity were left as gifts to us. God Bless…Louisa Cantelon & Family |
| Mile 52 | Greg Otto | In Memory | Greg Otto just died on Saturday (March 26th, 2005) after I had sent the original dedication. He was a fireman for the city of San Luis Obispo, California. Greg is leaving behind two young boys ages 19 and 10 and a lovely wife. He was 42 years old. |
| Mile 53 | Ruth Boling | In Honor | Please dedicate a mile to a dear friend and coworker -Ruth, who is celebrating her 10th year as a breast cancer survivor. Stay strong! |
| Mile 54 | Maureen Terwilliger | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 55 | Vincent Allan | In Honor | Vincent was stricken with "ALL" leukemia at age seven, and underwent 3 years of chemotherapy. He went on to be a first string football player for both youth football and high school, and will be 24 in July! He has graduated from UC San Diego in 2003. During the year subsequent to his graduation he worked with Allan Real Estate Investments while he applied to graduate schools. He was offered and accepted a scholarship to attend the MBA program at Pepperdine University in Malibu. He is just completing his first of two years. Vincent is a technical wizard with amazing computer skills (he started on computers at 3, and it was very irritating to remove the household items he put into the disc drives). Vince loves animals, pickups and snow-boarding. He is very easy going and very confident of himself. |
| Mile 56 | Joanne Tutschek | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 57 | Denise Fisher | In Honor | Denise is a dear friend in San Francisco who had been battling breast cancer about 10 years ago. She has 3 wonderful children, and is currently now battling a recurrance of the disease. |
| Mile 58 | Gloria J. Morin | In Honor | Our Mother was a single mom who raised two boys with the help of her own mother. She has 2 sons, 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren as well as an older sister. Mom claims to be 39 and we are now being introduced as her older brothers. Mom has many interests including hiking, running, swimming and falling down. She also enjoys good wine, food and loves to dance. She is learning to Speak French and Spanish. Mom is a victim of breast cancer and as always she is a survivor! During her treatment she remained very positive. There were very few times she would let herself get down. As always in her life she wanted to survive and she did it with style! Go Mom! ----Trent & Steve |
| Mile 59 | Maggie Metcalfe | In Memory | My best friend Maggie Metcalfe passed away from cancer on Sunday March 20, 2005. She was 49 and was an avid trail runner and my best training partner. She had a very aggressive type of cancer that moved through her very quickly and she was gone from us very fast. I was intrigued by your dedication run because Maggie was actually born in the Raleigh area before moving to Iowa and then finally to the SF Bay area where she passed away. She had two children who still live in the Carolinas. She had a special love of the trails and was never happier than when she was out running. She was a friend to everyone and was one of those special spirits that seemed at ease in life. Her family misses her deeply and know that wherever she is, she is running the trails and making new friends. Thanks and best of luck in your run! - Mark |
| Mile 60 | Mitch McKee | In Memory | Mitch McKee was one my college roommates and was also a groomsman in my wedding. Mitch died in 1993 of Melanoma. He graduated from Boston College in 1978 followed by BC Law school. He moved to Houston in 1981, where he left a wife and a one year old son at the time of his death. Mitch loved golf, a good joke, his family and friends. |
| Mile 61 | Rachael Howard | In Honor | Rachael is a newly minted breast cancer survivor with a loving family of husband and 2 daughters. She plans to continue living strong everyday for herself, her family and all cancer survivors! |
| Mile 62 | Albin J. Pawlik | In Memory | Albin died in November of 1992 from cancer. He was a very kind and loving father, who enjoyed working around the house and in the garage (my boyhood friends would marvel at his home improvement projects). He is thought of by his family and friends daily. We miss you dad. |
| Mile 63 | John Salisbury | In Honor | John Salisbury lives in San Francisco and has been cancer free for a couple years. That's always worth celebrating! |
| Mile 64 | Evelyn Coquia Morris | In Honor | Evelyn Coquia Morris was a coworker of mine in 1997 at Santa Clara Child Protective Services, Emergency Response when she had a second cancer attack that started with a small lump near the base of her neck. In December 1997 she underwent a Stem Cell Transplant at Stanford and was off work for 6 months. During this time she became a diabetic and lost quite a bit of her vision. She had some surgery on her eyes and with special equipment she became a receptionist with Environmental Health. In 1994 she had breast cancer. While working at Environmental Health, she met a very nice young man and they were happily married and she works and takes classes in the evening. In September 2003 a new growth appeared and she has been having chemo since December 2003. Hopefully, this will put an end to the cancer. She really is an inspiration! LiveStrong Evelyn!! We love you. |
| Mile 65 | Larry Greene | In Memory | Larry Greene was born in 1951, and passed away on June 22, 2004, the day before his 53rd birthday, after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. Larry is survived by his wife, Robin, and two daughters -- Aly 12, and Laura, 10. The Arroyo Grande man served as a deputy district attorney on the central coast of California for 15 years. "He was really our go-to guy on special, sensitive cases. People gravitated toward Larry because of his gentleness and intelligence." Larry was the consummate professional. Larry was also an avid rugby player, runner and cyclist. Larry always supported and ran in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Relay benefitting Special Olympics. Larry greatly wanted to conquer his cancer, said Police Chief TerBorch. "He went through a tremendous amount of treatment and a couple operations, yet he always had a very positive outlook and wanted to overcome it and be with his young family." Not a day goes by that Larry isn't remembered in the District Attorney's Office or in the courthouse, where Larry was loved and respected by prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys alike. |
| Mile 66 | Donna Jones | In Honor | Donna Jones is an investigator on the central coast of California. Donna was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on April 30, 2004. She achieved remission after 3 weeks of induction chemotherapy. She had her stem cell transplant from a matched unrelated donor on September 16, 2004. After several months of recovery, she returned back to work on March 21, 2005. She continues to take it day-by-day, and remains a true inspiration to all those around her. |
| Mile 67 | Dorothy Brenner | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 68 | Toni Naretto | In Memory | I know Toni from my trip to Italy with my daughter Lauren in 1999. Toni and her husband Ed were in our group. Both charming and well educated people, and a fantastic-looking couple. Toni fought a long battle with breast cancer. Thanks for doing this. Take care, -- Bill M. |
| Mile 69 | Fernando Delgado | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 70 | Candi Jones | In Memory | Candi was born in Santa Barbara, California, in 1957, and graduated from Cal Poly--San Luis Obispo in 1980. After graduation, she served as a deputy sheriff on the central coast of California, and was its first female sergeant. After her retirement from there, she served as a district attorney investigator for the county. During this time, she earned her master's degree in psychology and was employed by Family Care Network as a counselor/case worker. Candi had many and varied interests, ranging from skeet, trap and sporting clay shooting to gardening. She was active in her church and deeply loved the Lord. She was a member of the San Luis Obispo County Cattlewomen's Association and was a skilled rider and roper, competing in western and equestrian events and team roping. An outdoor girl, she loved camping and, many times, packed into the back country of the Sierras and Rockies. She loved music and played guitar, drums and violin and sang in several choirs. She loved her many friends and was always there for them. Candi passed away peacefully on March 1, 2005, after a brave battle with cancer. |
| Mile 71 | Angelo Crapanzano | In Memory | Angelo was a very kind and loving man who sadly passed away from cancer. All of us miss him dearly, and carry him in our hearts. |
| Mile 72 | June Wene | In Memory | I too am running Umstead. I lost my dear sister-in-law June Wene to cancer a year ago. She used to crew for my long races. I ran Bandera 100k in 2004 and was only able to finish the 50k because of an injury. I was very upset and June assured me that we would go back in 2005 and she would watch me cross the finish line of the 100k. That was January 2004 and sadly she passed away from a brain tumor in April of 2004 - so she was not able to go to Bandera with me in 2005. I went anyway and finished the race with her picture in my pack and her spirit in my heart! She "was there" in Arkansas when I finished my first 100 and she will be in Umstead for my second 100. She was a special woman, loved by all and missed so very much. June was never a runner, but when asked to crew me for my first 50 mile, she agreed and got hooked on the atmosphere of the ultras. She was one of the most laid back people I ever met and really couldn't understand (in her words) "why do you put yourself through this"? I couldn't really explain my motive's for running these ultras, but she just excepted it, and said "whatever happens out there you seem to be having fun". She was 67 years young, a wife, mother, grandmother and very special friend. - Mary |
| Mile 73 | Ginny Williams | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 74 | Susan Wise | In Honor | Susan is a breast cancer survivor, 3 years now. She had surgery and chemotherapy, with no ill effects. Fortunately, she found it early and is doing wonderfully. Please put her name on the list and keep her in your thoughts as you run her mile... and beyond. |
| Mile 75 | Kim Tsu | In Memory | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 76 | Larry Lynch | In Honor | I want to wish you all the best this weekend. I know that a successful ultra can be great stepping stone toward completion of a challenging race. You all will have a great time and I wish I could join you...in some sort of non-running-of-100-miles sort of way. Maybe the best way would be that you would honor my family by including my step-father-in-law's name on the list. Larry was diagnosed in Feb with prostrate, had surgery just two weeks ago (March 05), and is already back running/walking a couple of miles per week. It was good to see that the list is almost full. We will think of you, and more importantly the many folks who have or continue to battle cancer, throughout the day. Cheers and best of luck! LiveStrong! Dave Hungerford |
| Mile 77 | Richard Markus | In Honor | My Dad has spent his adult life educating people. He was a School Teacher for more than 30 years in San Jose CA, took me and my friends on campouts, with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and Indian Guides. He helped me to build Pinewood Derby cars, and paper kites, and helped me with more school projects than I can remember. After retiring from formal education, he took a volunteer position as a tour guide with the San Jose Historical Museum, and continues to educate children and adults alike. My wife tells me I am a lot like my Dad, I credit him and my Mom both for their influence on me, and I know their example is one of the main reasons I am thinking about becoming a Teacher after retiring from Military Service. My dad recently had surgery to remove a tumor in his lymph node, and is now undergoing radiation treatments for the next couple of weeks. He and his brother (#86) are fighting the good fight together! |
| Mile 78 | Laurie Damas | In Honor | Laurie works at the local blood bank, and is as sweet as they come! She has a wonderful warm smile, and makes everything painless. She's also a runner, and a cancer survivor on her way back from recovery. |
| Mile 79 | Father Michael O'Sullivan | In Honor | I would like you to donate a mile to Fr. Michael O'Sullivan, who was my pastor in Arroyo Grande for 15 years and who is also a very close friend. He is currently extremely ill in the hospital battling cancer, and we almost lost him last week. He ran the Dublin marathon just a year ago last summer and raised twenty thousand dollars in the fight against cancer. |
| Mile 80 | Gretchen B. Lane | In Memory | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 81 | Sandy Wall | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 82 | Alexandra Varlamova | In Memory | I would like to dedicate a mile in memory of my mother-in-law, Alexandra Varlamova. She died in 1986 from neuroglioma, a brain tumor. She was a very people-oriented person, always helpful, funny, a great singer and managed a big concert hall in a small Russian town near Moscow. She raised the most wonderful son who became my husband in 1989. The disease struck quite suddenly, within a month of first encountering frequent headaches; she was diagnosed, had a surgery - but never recovered. She died on her 44th birthday, peacefully in sleep. Although I never knew her...We named our first-born son Alexander after her. |
| Mile 83 | Barbara Turner | In Honor | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 84 | Patrick Schruben | In Honor | Pat lives in Palm Desert is an entrepreneur, athlete and cancer survivor. He's a super dad of two lovely daughters, and an excellent life time friend to many. He's the embodiment of LiveStrong (and have fun doin' it!) |
| Mile 85 | Tom Martin | In Honor | Tom Martin is a very generous man who lives in San Luis Obispo. He has a wife and small daughter as well as older grown children from his first marriage. He is fighting pancreatic cancer. Tom has been hugely successful in his career, and is working very hard on getting funding donated for a children's museum in his town, and is very supportive of education in our county as well. A really gracious guy who was a great dad and husband. |
| Mile 86 | James Markus | In Honor | My uncle had prostate cancer and in mid March of 2005 underwent surgery at Stanford. Like his brother (My Dad mile 77), he too was a School Teacher. In Fact their older brother, my Uncle Steve was a Teacher also. My Uncle Jim spent many of his years teaching/working with Special Education Students. As a kid growing up I always would look forward to family vacations, because I knew Uncle Jim would be in the Kitchen or outside with the BBQ. It didn't matter if it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, or summer time, there was always great food to look forward to. Years ago Uncle Jim and my cousin Darrel made a smaller version of a smoker/BBQ that my Uncle Jim uses, I managed to take it to Bosnia when my unit deployed, and actually cooked some brisket for my unit while we were there! To this day I tell people my Brisket and Tri-Tip are secret family recipes. |
| Mile 87 | Diane Brown | In Memory | My mother, Dianne Brown, was a uterine cancer survivor for almost 20 years. She later died of unrelated brain cancer at 50 years old. |
| Mile 88 | Patricia Roswig | In Honor | My mom Patricia is currently in the midst of a struggle with cancer. |
| Mile 89 | Tori M. MacKay | In Memory | Tori was born in 1994 along with her twin sister Tessa. Two absolutely lovely little girls, with an adoring older sister and family. When Tori was just several months old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and underwent what was to be the first of over 120 surgerical procedures over the next ten years. Throughout her near decade-long struggle with cancer, Tori exhibited the absolute epitome of courage. She and her loving family never let the illness stop them from living, and they made wonderful family trips to Disney World. The spirit of Tori was evident to everyone that was fortunate to meet her. Even the doctors and other healthcare workers who work with ill children on a regular basis, were deeply touched by her shining spirit. Tori ALWAYS had a smile for everyone. Sadly, Tori died from the disease in late 2004. Her family and friends miss her dearly, and will always carry her in our hearts. |
| Mile 90 | Marcy Jurek | In Honor | September 2001. My husband and I and another couple were driving south on vacation. I was taking my turn at the wheel, but I kept noticing something wrong with my vision. I spoke with two ophthalmologists and one retinal specialist who didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I blew it off for a little while longer, until I got to the point where a would lose sight of a car coming at me in the left lane for a few seconds, then it would reappear again. I KNEW this wasn't right. I went to see a local (hero, to me) optometrist who did a visual field exam (5 minute, simple test) and discovered that I had the exact same blind spot in both eyes. He explained to me that this means that the problem is not in the eye, but somewhere in my brain. Long story short(er), he recommended an MRI, which I had the very next day, January 26, 2002, the day my entire life changed. I was told that day that I had multiple tumors in my brain, one of which was causing my blind spot. As you can imagine, I was hysterical. I have a 2 yr. old and 4 yr. old. I just kept saying over and over, I can't leave my babies! Angry, frightened, desperate, despairing. Through the connections my family MD has, I as able to be seen by a fantastic group of doctors in Chicago and had surgery on February 1st to remove three of the tumors. I had a special kind of 'focused' radiation in June for some of the other tumors, am now growing my hair back, and doing OK. It has been quite a year for my family and I, and I couldn't have survived it without the love and support of my family and friends, and even many strangers. I am not the same person I was this time last year. Every day has new meaning, every hug from my kids precious and the little things, well, they just don't bother me as much anymore. I learned so much from this, one of those things being if there is something you have always wanted, go get it. No one is going to give it to you. So I am standing with a new spirit, new determination, and an excitement to just to be here. Enjoy this day a little more for me, hug your kids a little tighter, and don't forget to say Thank You for today! |
| Mile 91 | Mr. Lyons | In Memory | To everyone living strong |
| Mile 92 | Arnold Rushton | In Honor | My Dad was around 40 when he first got cancer of the bowel. Two years later the cancer recurred and again the prognosis was not good. But again he battled back and survived. Today my Dad remains alive, lives cancer free, and is a wonderful husband and father to myself and my younger brother. Throughout his life he has always been one to center his life around the needs of his family. The many weekends sitting in rinks across the Province watching my brother and I played hockey for the Woodstock teams, to coming to see our school events, he has always been a man of character, of caring, and of substance. His values and ethics speak to the type of person I hope I have become and will always be. Unlike many of my good friends who have lost a parent to cancer, I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have had my father survive cancer. Thanks for always being there for me; you have made a difference! |
| Mile 93 | Diane Burch | In Honor | Diane is a happy, kind, and considerate (and inspiring!) friend and neighbor. She's a loving mom and wife, and enjoys every day. |
| Mile 94 | Carrie Elizabeth Riddle | In Memory | My mother, Carrie Elizabeth Riddle, lost her battle to cancer when she was only 58 years young. She had pancreatic cancer, and died in 1976. She was born and raised in South Carolina. She married my Dad and moved to California and lived there until her death. I am one of three daughters. She was a wonderful Mother. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. I can hear her laughing still. She was a wonderful cook and shared many southern recipes with us. She loved to work in her garden and many a time I see her today out there working. There was not a thing in this world she would not do for anyone. I miss her every day. My wish? That she could have known her grandchildren. I feel they have missed out by never knowing her. Thanks, again, and good luck at the run! As you are racing I will be doing a 50 mile endurance horse on my horse but will be thinking about all of you. |
| Mile 95 | Anita Lester Carey | In Memory | Anita grew up in New Jersey, and spent her summers in Rhode Island. She moved her family out to Denver and lived there until she died. At age 47 she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She fought it successfully at first. But exactly 5 years later they found the cancer in her bones and within six months it had taken her. She loved gardening and had a beautiful garden in Denver. She owned and ran a Pappagallo shoe store for many years and had a very active social life. |
| Mile 96 | Fran McKenna | In Memory | Fran McKenna died of Lymphoma in 1992. She lived her entire life in Concord, MA. She had 5 children. She and her sister opened the first pre-school in Concord when here children were young. She later sold Real Estate and worked in a local Bank, where she knew all her customers by name. She loved to travel, she was a big hockey fan, and played the piano by ear. |
| Mile 97 | Therese Triumph | In Honor | Therese is a cancer survivor. LiveStrong! |
| Mile 98 | Eric Grant | In Honor | Eric is an Assistant Chief Investigator in California. Eric has been cancer free since 1998, and is married to his beautiful wife, Marguerite. |
| Mile 99 | Eileen Meiners | In Memory | My mom discovered she had uterine cancer at the age of 56. Unfortunately, it had already mestatisized to other parts of her body. She endured many years of Chemo, radiation, etc. Initially, she only had been given a couple years to live. Instead, she fought cancer for nearly ten years. In those years she saw four of her children marry and welcomed nine grandchildren into the world. She was always upbeat, always smiling. We were all with her when she died, and I don't have the words to describe the beauty and sacredness of it all. I think about her every day, and draw courage from how she lived her life and how she handled suffering. My mom was very spiritual and close to God. Hope that gives you a little glimpse of Eileen Meiners. Love to all of you! - Tricia |
| Mile 100 | Geraldine Triumph | In Memory | A super kind and loving mom to us kids, and wife to my dear 'ol dad. My mom fought breast cancer for nine years, undergoing surgeries, radiation and chemotherapies. She was always very happy and kind, never said a bad word about anyone (don't even think she ever thought anything bad about anybody). My brother and sister, and I had a great time growing up in the Indiana countryside, and along with my mom and dad (we referred to him as a "cattle surgeon", but his profession is more commonly known as "butcher") had a lot of love, fun and laughter. It's been about 15 years since my mom died, and of course she's thought of often by all her family and friends. She was a perfect example of kindness, and remains an inspiration to everyone who knew her. |