Sailors, civilians run to end breast cancer

This day will be remembered as a pivotal day that placed Jacksonville as a major player in the fight against breast cancer. This inaugural event, which drew elite runners from around the world and participants from all over the United States, created a potent memory of what is achievable and possible when people unite behind a cause.

At exactly 8:30 a.m., a big bang and pink confetti signaled the beginning of the much anticipated event. Marathoners and half-marathoners alike started at the corner of Mayo Clinic and San Pablo Road.

The inaugural course took runners south on San Pablo Road to J. Turner Butler (JTB) Boulevard, where runners encountered their first challenge - the Intercoastal Bridge. They proceeded east on JTB to AIA North, to First Street and ultimately to the packed sands of Jax and Atlantic Beaches where hundreds of residents cheered them on and a cool ocean breeze provided reprieve from the rapidly rising temperature.

At the Jax Beach pier, the half-marathoners, with more than six miles behind them turned around and headed to the finish line. The marathoners continued their journey on the sand to 20th Avenue North where they returned to the streets lined with spectators showing their appreciation and support. They reached the half-way point at the intersection of 20th Street and Ocean Forest Drive and within the blink of an eye headed back to the finish line at the Mayo Clinic.

A 25-year-old Ethiopian elite runner will always be remembered as the first marathoner to cross the finish line during the inaugural event. Alene Reta crossed the finish line with a time of 2:21:57. Mariska Kramer-Postman of the Netherlands posted her win in the women's category with a time of 2:45.42, which qualified her for the Boston Marathon.

The first half-marathoners to cross the finish line were Ethiopian Tadesse Abebe, with a time of 1:11:40 and University of Florida graduate student Kim Pawelek with a time of 1:20:42. Iconic Gold Medalist Joann Benoit finished second with a time of 1:26:12.

Thousand of runners headed up the intercoastal bridge during the early hours of Feb. 17 on their way to Jax Beach.

Among the thousand of runners participating in the event was a committed Naval Hospital Jacksonville marathoner, Lt. (Dr.) Francesca Cimino. The 28-year-old family practice doctor has run many mathons, but felt that this one was the most important she will ever run. "I ran other marathons, but this particular marathon is going to have a beautiful course in a beautiful city," she said. "I think it is exciting that Donna Deegan and Dr. Judith Perez have started a marathon for one of the most far reaching diseases in our country. I can't think of one person - patient, family or friend - that has not been touched by breast cancer. I have in so many ways. This event is going to be a very memorable one."

Other NAS Jacksonville-based runners on the course were ET2 Troy Manuel, Lt. Scott Myers of Air Operations and Christie Surgeoner. This was the first marathon for the 25-year-old Manuel a Memphis, Tenn. native. "This is my first marathon and I am happy to have crossed the finished line," said a jubilant Manuel upon receiving his medal at the end. "This is the first time I have felt in a good enough shape to run a full marathon and support a great cause. I am glad that we have so many Navy people out here today. We care about our community and give back every chance we get."

Elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia lead local and national runners during the start of the inaugural 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Feb. 17.

According to Surgeoner, she ran the half marathon because of her husband, Rob. "My husband just completed chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma and I wanted to be part of this event and give back to the community," she said.

The event was just not about running, but about helping to find a cure for breast cancer and the thousands of volunteers who helped make this event possible were also invaluable participants. Yolanda Munoz of Commander, Navy Region Southeast was one of them.

"I am volunteering because it is a great cause and I want to be part of it. This event gives us an opportunity to support each other and participate in such a worthy event," Munoz said.

Other events preceding the race included a Health and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, a drawing for a pink VW Bug, a reception by Olympian and Trainer Jeff Galloway and a pasta dinner. Hundreds of runners attended the Expo held at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium Feb. 15 and 16 in order to hear Benoit speak. The 51-year-old Olympian and a two-time Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon winner did not disappoint her audience.

"The most important thing in running a successful race is finding your pace and

running your own race. You can't run anybody's race," explained Benoit during one of her talks.

"Start with your friends and then split. Don't slow down because they slow down. Honor one another and agree to meet at the finish line. Also, don't go and look at the race course prior to a race - don't go there. Instead, go and put your feet up and enjoy the company of friends. Never look at a race course before a race."

At the finish line, every runner who completed the event received an inaugural medal designed by local artist Kurtis Loftus.

"This inaugural medal is beautiful," remarked Naval Facilities Engineering Command employee Joann Mason.

"It's truly representative of the event and it will always be a special keepsake for me," she said. "I ran the half-marathon in my mother's name. She died from breast cancer when I was young. I also had several friends who died of or are breast cancer survivors. This medal is for all of them."

According to raise organizer Donna Deegan, who has become the embodiment of the fight against breast cancer, more than $800,000 were raised during the event and all of it will go to breast cancer research and to women living with breast cancer.

Mark your calendar, the second annual 26.2 with Donna will be held Feb. 15, 2009 at 7 a.m. More for information, go to www.breastcancermarathon.com or call (904) 355-PINK.