"My 2011 Hamilton Marathon Experience"
October 31st marked the end of a 12 year relationship with a man that I love very much but sadly, he did not feel the same for me. Because of all the emotinal stuff happening in my life, I put off signing up for the half marathon that I had been training for over the summer and early fall. I just wasn't sure if I was up to doing it because of how sad I was feeling. My running partner, Peter, mentioned a week prior to the race that he had registered for the half marathon, but I was still indecisive and not feeling very inspired. The Wednesday night at 6:05 p.m., before the race weekend, I decided that I needed this half marathon to clear my head and get me out of this emotional funk I was stuck in. I remembered how past experiences with this race were always outstanding, so it was iportant for me to sign up. This race called the Road2Hope held personal significance for me in my life. I went online and unfortunately missed the cut-off point by 5 minutes. It looked like my only option now was to run the 10km, so my hope was that I would be permitted to register the morning of the race.
Sunday morning, Peter and I headed off to Hamilton. He was going to be running the half marathon and not so eagerly I would be registering and running for the 10km but I didn't want to miss this day. The Hamilton Marathon was the best event that I had ever participated in and this would be my third year. 20 marathons later and now I would be running my first 10km.
We entered the registration tent and i went over to the table and said to one of the lovely volunteer ladies, "I'd like to register for the 10km". She told me that the 10km had been on Saturday. Oh no, I immediately said.....but then she replied "but I do have one half marathon spot still available. I was so excited to hear this and said out loud "that's exactly what I really wanted - this is amazing - yes please, sign me up!"
She asked me to fill out the form and said it would be $85.00. I only had $65.00 on me because I thought I was going to be running the 10km and that was only $55.00. I asked Peter if he had $20.00 but he had no cash on him. At that moment, I could not believe that my chance to run the half marathon was not going to happen. One of the ladies behind the table asked me how much I needed and I told her $20.00. I saw her go to her purse and pull out a $20.00 bill and then she handed it to me and said in a loving voice, "here, dear, take this and enjoy your run." At that very moment I felt this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and happiness that opened my heart for the first time since it had been broken only a week prior. I asked her for her name so that I could return the money and she just smiled and told me not to worry about it.....to go and have a great race. I smiled and said thank you.....Thank you. I rushed over to the other lady to fill out the form, hand her the cash and grab my shirt while making sure to hug this generous beautiful anonymous woman who changed my world that day with her act of kindness and generosity. Now I understand why a homeless person is so excited just by receiving a quarter because it is that small token that can change their world for the day.
So, off we ran to catch the last bus. I was so excited that we sat in the front seats of the bus. Lucky for us because another beautiful experience happened. WE MET JOAN TURNBULL and that lady was so full of life....dynamic and beautiful and made our bus ride one of the most inspiring journeys as we learned all about the wonderful work that the volunteers of this race do. I am in awe and grateful to have met such wonderful people. You all should be so proud of what you created on Sunday. It is by far the BEST and WELL ORGANIZED race that I have ever run....and as I said earlier, I have run 20 marathons and several half marathons. I will continue to share this experience with my friends and family.
Whoever that woman is that gave me my Road to Hope with her generous gift of $20.00, please let her know that I will NEVER forget that moment......she was my angel that day.
Thank you!"
And folks....I (Art Duerksen) am very proud to be a part of the organizing committee and hundreds of volunteers that made the Road2Hope Marathon a memorable experience for the half marathoner from Toronto in this inspiring story.
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