By Taylor Dooley
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. -- Thousands of runners lined up at Centennial Park on April 27 to
participate in the "Country Music Marathon" benefiting the St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital.
Runner
Shauna McCulley and her husband have participated in this event for two
consecutive years for their 7-year-old daughter Alexa, a childhood cancer
survivor. Alexa was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 3.
The purpose
of this event was to bring awareness to childhood cancer research, as well as
to raise money. Several runners also ran in support of the victims of the
“Boston Bombing” that occurred on April 15.
Unlike last
year, which was perfect running weather, the weather was rather dreary and
miserable. However, that didn’t dampen the spirits of those runners and walkers
who came out in support of such an important organization that fills such a
great need.
“I doubted
my sanity,” said McCulley.
Considering
that all of the runners had to stand in the rain for over an hour preparing for
the run, it seemed to be a miserable wait for everyone.
Finishing
with a time of 3:12:40 for 13.1 miles (the half-marathon length), McCulley
hopes to return next year with a lot of training under her belt to improve that
time.
This
opportunity has motivated her to become more active in her own day-to-day
life. She also hopes to organize a group
and walk solely in support of the organization CureSearch, which ran in the
Country Music Marathon as well.
McCulley’s
employer, Dave Ramsey, and his company The Lampo Group in Brentwood, Tenn.,
sponsored McCulley and her group of runners by reimbursing them with the
registration fee and other costs pertaining to the marathon for crossing the
finish line.
“Just keep
swimming, just keep swimming, like Dory from Finding Nemo,” said McCulley.
She says
she still hears this in her head from a spectator during the marathon as she
crosses the finish line!
According
to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, participants running in the race were
working to raise $1.8 million. The total amount raised was not released by
press time. To learn more about the "Country Music Marathon", visit http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/nashville.
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