2009 Carlsbad Marathon Heroes of the Marathon & Half

masonMason Smedley
Mason, at the age of 17 months, was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a very rare auto-immune disease and has spent much of his young life in the hospital.  He has had to fight for his life on a number of occasions.   He suffered a perforated bowel due to the progression of the disease and the prescribed heavy steroid use.  During surgery to remove a portion of his colon, it was discovered that he also had an enlarged heart.  The prescribed steroids had also resulted in high blood pressure, a suppressed immune system, cataracts and pneumonia which left him with a scarred lung.

Over the past few years, Mason has continued to get weaker and is now in a wheelchair.  He has lost the use of all but one limb, his right arm, but he remains a strong and loving little boy.  In his short time on this earth, he has endured more suffering than many of us will in our entire lifetime yet he is still funny, witty and positive.  He has a strong presence and an optimistic attitude.

His dad will push him in the half marathon and together they hope to raise funds and awareness for this disease so that one day there will be a cure for Juvenile Dermatomyositis and no child will have to suffer its devastating effects as Mason has.


melonieMelonie Applegate
It’s 4:45 a.m. at the starting line for the 2008 Carlsbad Marathon, also known as On The Roll For A Cure Marathon, for those who are in this race to fight back against a disease that has challenged them and their families.

Melonie Applegate (pictured left with Paul)  is tucking a blanket gently over her husband Paul Applegate, as he sits in his wheelchair. It’s cold and foggy in the pre-dawn darkness and everyone speaks in low quiet voices.

Melonie knows this pre-race routine well as she has been here for the last four years in the same spot at the same time. Paul Applegate was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, over four years ago, and since then was the lead marathoner for the Greater San Diego Chapter of the ALS Association.

This year, again, a group of three PALS, People Living with ALS, will comprise a chapter relay team that will be pushed in their wheelchairs for a total of 26.2 miles. The “pushers” are family members, caregivers and friends of the PALS who faithfully show up every year eager to push their own marathon heroes.

It is hard to find a dry eye anywhere when all three cross the finish line, some of them struggling and with assistance, to an enormous cheering throng. Pure raw courage meets with pure raw emotion and renders an inspirational finish.

We lost Paul this past June, but Melonie will be here again in her usual spot, supporting those athletes who continue the battle against this disease.  Melonie’s contributions to her husband and her family, and to the San Diego ALS Chapter make her a truly outstanding Hero for the Carlsbad Marathon. Melonie soldiers on in her own heroic way, although she is still uncomfortable with the title – Hero. 


natasha - 09 heroNatasha Sandrock
Natasha Sandrock is running instead to honor the heroes who give live after death.  She’s dedicating her fourth Carlsbad Marathon this year to one of the official charities of the marathon - Lifesharing - the organ and tissue organization serving San Diego and Imperial Counties.

In 2002, two months before Natasha and her husband Michael prepared for their first marathon, Michael died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism.  Natasha ran in Michael’s honor. “Our tragic situation turned into a blessing … a testimony to others,” Natasha said after completing the Carlsbad Marathon last year. Since Michael’s death, this inspirational young widow has run more than a dozen marathons en route to her goal of seven marathons on seven continents.

As an “extreme marathoner,” Natasha ran 3700 steps at the Great Wall of China, walked 10 days before starting the Mt. Everest Marathon in Nepal, scaled and then ran marathons on Machu Picchu in Peru and the Swiss Alps in Davos, and recently completed the Mt. Kilimanjaro run in Tanzania. Antarctica, Australia, Easter Island and Pikes Peak remain on her “To Run” list.

“Life is precious. Live it to the fullest and please consider being an organ and tissue donor,” the human resources professional emphasizes.  “It takes only minutes to sign up at the DMV or online at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org and can mean a lifetime to someone else.”


misty - 09 heroMisty Oto
Misty’s mother succumbed last year to the genetic killer that is Huntington’s Disease (HD). 29-year-old Misty, now runs in  hopes for a future that will free her and her two young daughters from the same fate as her mother.
 
“My mother was very open. As long as I can remember, my mom discussed it,” Misty says. “I remember thinking, ‘That’s just our luck! This rare disease, and we have to be the ones to get it.’ She told us that it was inherited, that we would have a 50-50 chance of getting it, and that if we had kids, they would also have a 50-50 chance of getting it. If we had questions, she would discuss them.”

Misty’s hope is for a cure so that her daughters, three-year-old  Malia, and two-year-old Kaili,  and her seven nieces and nephews don’t have to face the threat of HD. Already Misty’s older brother Jamie has HD symptoms. He has four children, all at risk. As part of her strategy Misty has been training to run the Carlsbad Marathon to raise funds for research.

Some research indicates that running may prolong the onset of HD so Misty is running to help find a cure and to lessen the terrible impact HD has had on her family and many other families.
 
“My husband Randy and I are lucky that we have perfectly healthy children now. There’s always a possibility of anything in life. I don’t regret that my mother had me, knowing very well that there is a possibility that I could have this as well. I do not begrudge my mother. I am happy for every day that I have on this earth. And I hope that my children feel the same.”


kathleen - 09 heroKathleen Stark
Many years ago, when Rady Children’s Hospital was adding a wing to its facility, the employees were allowed to write a message in the tower.  Kathleen Stark (pictured left with daughter Brittany) wrote a special message to her daughter, Brittany.  Little did Kathleen know that years later Brittany would spend the final months of her life in that same hospital.  Brittany was diagnosed with a heart condition that would require a heart transplant.  She waited eleven months for the heart that never arrived, passing away at the age of fourteen.

Kathleen, then a strong advocate for her daughter, still advocates today but in a different way.  Kathleen often speaks at public functions, using a letter from Brittany as a vehicle to share Brittany’s eleven-month journey.  Kathleen tirelessly speaks about the need for organ donation here in San Diego County.  Among many charitable efforts, Kathleen has given years of service, bereavement support and compassion to parents of patients of Rady Children’s Hospital.  

This marathon marks the ten year anniversary of when Kathleen and her husband first ran in the Carlsbad Marathon in Brittany’s memory to inspire others and to create awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation.  Kathleen will run the marathon again this year with her daughter Brooke to honor Brittany and the more than 1,400 San Diegans who have passed away while awaiting a life-saving organ transplant.


david - 09 heroDavid Kariuki
David Kariuki has known many days when running meant survival.  As an orphan,  David grew up on the streets of Nairobi, Kenya where he ran for safety, ran to hide and ran to escape the dangers he faced each day.  Running was a way of life.  After many years on the street, David (pictured in the middle of the photo on the left) was rescued by a kind, generous man who used his financial resources to open an orphanage for children left abandoned and alone.

Because of one man’s willingness to provide a home for the hundreds of children he found in need, David was given a chance in life.  He was provided a safe place to live, food and an education.  He was even able to pursue his dreams and by working hard graduated from university as a qualified Social Worker.

He now serves other children left hurting and alone after the death of their parents.  Working as Heart for Africa’s Country Coordinator in Kenya, David is able to impact the lives of many children in positive life-giving ways. He uses the knowledge he has acquired as well as his own life experiences to reach out to the children who are hurting and alone.  David works to provide a safe place for children to live, grow, learn and thrive.  No more running on the streets for David or for the children he cares for.  Now running can be a means to raise awareness and provide for children.

David is actually making his first trip out of Kenya to come here to be with us and to run his first half marathon.



bill - 09 heroBill Carlson
Bill was first diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was sixteen.  When most teens were worried about final exams or who to go to the prom with, Bill was worried about staying alive but he refused to let diabetes control his life.  In 1983, he became the world’s first-ever diabetic Ironman triathlete when he competed in an Ironman Triathlon.

Since that epic race, Bill has raced in 6 Ironman Triathlons, some 80 marathons, finished three 100-mile ultramarathons and sixteen 50-miles along with nearly 140 total triathlons.

His message has inspired millions.  Bill says “I have been an athlete all of my life. I developed diabetes when I was a high school football player but that didn’t bother me that much. Just had to get things under control and continue what I loved to do most and that was working out. I found that my love of exercise was something that others with diabetes did not have and that the exercise was very good for people who have diabetes. So I have turned myself into an example, a role model, for others who have diabetes. I will continue my athletics, diabetes or not. I just want to bring as many people along with me as I can in this endurance way of life. What a joy it is to really fly under your own power.”


2008 Carlsbad Marathon Heroes of the Marathon

brittany - finalBrittany Rogers, My whole life I have struggled with my weight.  When I was a little girl and we had to run a mile in school, I couldn’t do it because I was too heavy and everyone would make fun of me.  When I was 17 years old I decided I had enough and I made up my mind to lose weight.  I lost 70 pounds!   The next goal that I set for myself was to get over my fear of running.  When I lost all this weight I started dealing with major self image problems which led to depression.  I decided that doing a race might help me deal with these issues so I decided to sign up for the Carlsbad Half Marathon.  Through running and training for the race I have gained the confidence to know that I can do anything and I hope my story will be an inspiration to others who face these same issues.
Brittany Rogers, age 19


alan -08 heroAlan Sakal In early 2006, after never running in my life, I decided to sign up for the Carlsbad Marathon. I’m not sure what compelled me to want to run a marathon, but I just knew it was something I was “supposed” to do. In July of 2006, I joined In Motion Fit in Carlsbad. My first “check out” run with the group, I could barely run two blocks. I had my work cut out for me.

With the encouragement of the wonderful In Motion FIt coaches, and a lot of hard work, six months later I was standing on the starting line of the Carlsbad Marathon with thousands of other runners. Not only was this my first marathon, I had never even been to one.

I was told to be prepared to “hit the wall,” and sure enough, at 20 miles I felt as if I could not continue. By no means could I go another 6.2 miles, I had nothing left. I said a prayer, asking God to carry me the rest of the way. At that same moment, out of the crowd of spectators, came my training coach, Stan. He ran me in the remainder of the race, encouraging me all the way. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I was running for a higher cause.

That cause is the Bread of Life Rescue Mission in Oceanside. For the last four years, I have been a Board Member, and frequent volunteer at the Mission. On one particular night, as I was passing out blankets to our shelter guests, it came to me. I knew why I was “supposed” to run in the Carlsbad Marathon. I was supposed to raise money to buy cots for our guests to get them off the floor.

I proceeded to create a fundraising website and then sent an e-mail to my friends asking them to sponsor me in the race. They really came through! We raised almost $9,000 and were able to buy cots for all of our guests. They are no longer on the floor.

After the marathon, I continued to run with my group, and in April I entered the La Jolla Half Marathon. During the race, I ruptured a disk in my back that required surgery. While in the hospital, I contracted a staph infection. I had to go back to the operating room two additional times, and endure a lengthy recovery which included 12 weeks of continuous IV therapy. Due to the trauma to my spine, I was unable to walk, and had to train my legs to move again.

It was not until November that I recovered. I really missed my running partners and wanted to join them again. Slowly I started to walk with Stan’s walking group at the YMCA. In December, I joined my group again. All that time off affected me, and I had trouble keeping up with the group. With only 30 days left until race day, I knew I was not capable of running in the marathon. What about the half marathon? Is 30 days enough time to train to run the half? I hope so, because that is what I am doing. After all, if I am going to ask my friends to sponsor me again, I had better be in the race!

Alan Sakal


jean colorusso - 08 heroJean Coloarusso began a marathon for the people of Nigeria in 1998. She first began at a walking pace by fundraising for the building of a chapel in Minna, Nigeria. Once completed, Mrs. Colarusso visited the chapel and was moved by the many needs of the Nigerian people. Seven out of 10 people are infected with the HIV virus. After her initial visit, Mrs. Colarusso knew she had to pick up her pace. During the last ten years, she has almost single handedly provided the means for a now self-sustaining boys’ school, built a home for widows and orphans, created an Internet café at Kozito School giving access to its 500 students, and in January 2007, opened an AIDS/HIV Clinic and Hospice Center. Mrs. Colarusso is affectionately called “Mama Africa” in Nigeria because of the nurturing she has given to so many who must face death and poverty on a daily basis.

At 72 years young, Mrs. Colarusso has begun the largest project to date; the Dr. William J. Kupiec Memorial School for Girls which will educate 400 girls. She understands the life-changing, historical significance a girls’ school will make in this part of the world. In Nigeria, poor girls are rarely educated past the sixth grade and this school will be the first of its kind to educate poor girls 7th grade through college preparation.

Mrs. Colarusso is indeed a hero for the great improvements she has made to the lives of the people of Nigeria. She has worked tirelessly and accomplished so much without the advantage of being a media mogul, famous actress, or a rock star.

She will be doing the Half Marathon this year but her real marathon will continue with no finish line as she continues to be a voice and a hand-up for the people of Nigeria.


donna - 08 heroDonna Telles-Green: I believe all those who are organ or tissue donors and their families are HEROES.  The San Diego Fair agreed and honored donor families at the 2007 San Diego Fair.  The 13th happened to be my son, Christopher’s (shown in photo with Donna)10-year anniversary of his heart transplant.  They honored his donor’s mom, Donna.  Even though she was present at the then San Diego Marathon when Christopher walked the last mile of the marathon with the relay team of people who had helped save his life, Donna did not run.  This year she is participating by walking the half marathon with Christopher.  Christopher’s donor, Tommy died at the age of ten in a car accident.  He fought for his life for 7 days at Children’s Hospital in Orange County.  When he was pronounced brain dead his mother and father consented to organ donation.  Tommy did what none of the doctors could do for Christopher, he saved his life.  In his last hour, he gave a lifetime.  Donna has always participated with us to help educate people on the importance of organ and tissue donation.  I believe she is truly a hero.  Definition of a hero is someone who has great strength.  I believe her strength comes from the inside as well as the outside, making a decision in your darkest hour.  A hero is one who shows courage.  This too describes Donna.  She has always been there for our family and opened her heart to include us as part of her family.  She is a courageous mother who made a decision that changed our lives.  And for that our hearts will forever be together, we are family.

Liz Truxaw (Christoher’s Mom)


landon photoDr. Landon Pryor may hail from the cold Midwest but these days he calls our sunny California home and we are lucky to have him.  Dr. Pryor is running in this year’s Carlsbad Half Marathon on behalf of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts where he is their resident fellow.  As the latest addition to the organization’s team of dedicated medical volunteers, Dr. Pryor will be volunteering alongside some of San Diego’s foremost experts in pediatric craniofacial surgery for the next 12 months.
 
Landon opened his medical school application with the quote, “We are here to add what we can to life, not get what we can from it.”  As you quickly get to know this young doctor, you realize he truly takes this quote to heart.  Throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies, during a time when most medical students are just trying to make their grades, Landon has tirelessly lent his time and energies toward bettering the world around him.  In his first years of medical school in Illinois, Dr. Pryor traveled to Guatemala to provide medical care to underdeveloped communities.  Upon return he joined a tutoring program for children in a local hospital and took part in a “Students teaching AIDS to students” program where he provided education and awareness on the disease to underprivileged teens.  In 1999, Landon also became involved in the Special Friends Program of the American Cancer Society where he served as a Big Brother for children with cancer.
 
Dr. Pryor recognizes that his education and training put him in a unique position to give back in a very significant way.  “I am fortunate to have found a field of medicine that I am very enthusiastic about, and know that this passion for plastic surgery will only continue to grow stronger.”  Since his busy academic career, Landon has continued to pursue his passion for giving back.  As Fresh Start’s Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery Clinical Fellow, he is involved with complex and demanding cases of children suffering from physical deformities.  Since these children have no way of paying for the medical care they so desperately need on their own, they receive all of their treatment at no cost.  Landon is inspired by their courage and their gratitude for the care they receive.  In addition to volunteering for the organization in a medical capacity, Dr. Pryor wanted to serve as an inspiration and champion for the young patients in the community.  So, when asked if he would like to walk or run in this year’s Carlsbad Half Marathon, he did not hesitate.  To date Dr. Pryor has raised over $600 for Fresh Start and is counting on the smiles of the Fresh Start patients to help pull him through those tough 13.1 miles. Go Landon!

2007 Carlsbad Marathon Heroes of the Marathon 

Dr. Bryon, (pictured below with friend Kelly Peters) an avid runner, suffered a serious upper spinal cord injury several years ago. He has undergone two surgeries and had to relearn to walk after each surgery.

dr bryonHe currently walks with a cane due to balance difficulties and wears arm/hand braces, but will attempt to complete his sixth straight Carlsbad Marathon on January 21, 2007. He is the one who wears the cool red lobster hat during the marathons!

Although he has been forced to retire from his busy practice in Anesthesiology Medicine because of the coordination problems caused by the spinal cord injury, he has found an incredible life as a community servant/volunteer.  He founded and led the Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School Safety Patrol for four years;  he tutors math and reading; he’s the CubMaster of the largest Cub Scout Pack in the District; he helps coach P.E.,  soccer, and baseball;  he has received multiple awards from the San Diego City Schools, Scripps Ranch Civic Association, and the Boy Scouts of America; he teaches Sunday School; and he has received commendations from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the California State Senate for his work with the Cedar Fire Recovery.

tom burkeTom Burke has been a loyal participant of the Carlsbad Marathon since 1992. He has never run nor walked the marathon, but he manages one of the largest and most enthusiastic water stations on the course. His consistence and loyalty to the event is matched by his love for his daughter, Michelle.

Tom first became involved with the marathon when Michelle was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary degenerative disease of the retina, leading to progressive blindness. He wanted do something to make more people aware of this disease and bring attention to the need for funding for research. Currently there is no cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa and only limited vision aids available to enhance the vision and retard the deterioration of the patient’s sight. In 1992, he approached In Motion and asked if there was a way he could use the Carlsbad Marathon to help him spread the word. Because of Tom, Retinitis Pigmentosa became an official charity of the Carlsbad Marathon and Tom became the manager of the water station at Carlsbad Boulevard and La Costa.

Tom never gives up. This past summer while on a work assignment in Sacramento, Tom suffered a devastating stroke. He was away from his family, staying in a rented apartment during the week, only going home on weekends. When this happened, he was not able to call for help and it was many hours before Tom was discovered and rushed to the hospital where he was treated for the next three months.

Tom beat the odds. His stay in the hospital was followed by months of rehabilitation which is still ongoing. But as soon as he could speak, Tom asked a friend to “call the Carlsbad Marathon and tell them I will be there.”

Tom will be at his usual post directing over 100 of his friends as they serve water and Ultima to the marathoners passing by. When you go by, take a minute to say “hello” to a “True Marathon Hero.” Just look for the guy with the broad smile and the friendly wave.  That’s Tom!


mycle bradyMycle Brandy: "I am doing this marathon on behalf of the American Stroke Association (Train To End Strokes). I have had four strokes in the past and I’m currently on chemotherapy for liver disease (which is causing me to use a cane). I will be starting at  5:30 a.m. with the walkers though I do hope to be able to run some. A little over two years ago I was mailed a flier from the American Stroke Association. Not believing I could complete a marathon, I joined the team in the hopes of completing at least one half marathon and have completed three since then. I am doing this marathon to not only expand the awareness of the causes and dangers of strokes, but also to participate with people who are giving up their time to train and eventually compete in marathons for an extremely worthy cause. These fine people give up their Saturday mornings for four months of training and collect donations to help end the threat of death and impairment from strokes forever.  I consider myself very lucky to be part of this organization and this first marathon of many more to come.


kelly and rossRoss Kinney: "My first marathon was run for the Team in Training program in 1999 and I was truly blessed to have the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society assign Kelly Grubb as my patient honoree. Kelly was originally diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in 1996.  She has endured several relapses, a bone marrow transplant with another relapse, and in 2002 made medical history as the first pediatric patient in the nation to receive a mismatched stem cell transplant.
 
Kelly remained cancer-free and was approaching the all important 5-year anniversary date when her cancer inexplicably returned yet again. Only weeks from what I’d hoped would be a carefree celebration of her 18th birthday, she found herself fighting this disease once again, and Kelly and her family have to leave their home in Montana again to start treatment in Seattle, Washington.
 
Throughout the years I have known Kelly, she has never once complained about her setbacks. She is always positive and fights this horrible disease with unbelievable courage and dignity. She has been an inspiration in my life and is also someone I look up to as a role model. She is an amazing person. Her strength and compassion for others is remarkable. She has touched my life and so many others during her cancer journey.
 
I will once again be running in her honor on January 21, 2007 at the Carlsbad Marathon. She is truly my hero and it will be an honor to dedicate this marathon to her.


debbieDebbie Corradini is a marathon hero. She is a forty-three year old mother of two girls, one of whom is a special needs child. Marissa, now 12, was born with a genetic disorder called Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome (CFC). This is an extremely rare disorder, with less than a hundred diagnosed cases. Doctors gave Marissa little chance for a long life as she suffered from failure to thrive, a hole in her heart, psychomotor deficits and mental retardation.

Debbie threw all of her energy into supporting her girls’ needs. She battled to get her special needs daughter Marissa, the professional care she needed, and worked hard to keep her daughter, Presley, as normal and grounded as possible. Debbie’s love and nurturing have led Marissa to achieve what doctors said she could not -- to walk and to talk! Marissa has even made great progress in swimming, thanks to the loving support of her mom, who never gave up on her.

Debbie took up running to fight stress about four years ago. She slowly began seeing progress, never gave up on herself, and completed four half-marathons in the next few years. The Carlsbad Marathon is her first attempt at a full marathon. She has trained hard; juggling a career as a court reporter, mom, wife and runner. Debbie’s husband Steve, and daughters Presley and Marissa, will be at the finish line to cheer her on just as she has supported each of them in their extracurricular activities. Debbie is a true example that you can follow your dreams and achieve your goals if you put your mind to it.


connor humeConnor Hume, age 10, (pictured left with with his younger brother) is the youngest Hero of the Marathon. Connor has shown such courage and strength in the face of adversity. He has two younger brothers with serious illnesses; Parker, age 8, has been battling Juvenile Dermatomyositis for over 4 years, and Cole, age 4, was recently diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease and has other multiple health issues. 

Connor has been the biggest supporter of his brothers, comforting them during their hospital stays, holding their hands when they get shots, pushing their IV poles down the hallways, finding ways to distract them from their pain and knowing just what to say when they are feeling bad. Connor does everything he can to help find a cure for his brother. In fact, Connor said he would give his heart to his brother to save his life. 

Last year, Connor was an active volunteer for the Carlsbad Marathon. He helped organize and recruit volunteers for Cure JM, stuffed goodie bags for the Cure JM Team, served as a course guide and made signs to cheer on the runners. This year, Connor has recruited a group of friends to walk the first few miles of the half marathon with Parker to show their support of Parker and Cure JM.

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