Spirit of Joshua Award
Staging a marathon is extremely stressful and very labor intensive, offset however by the many special moments each marathon reveals. Our greatest rewards are by far the people we are privileged to meet and the incredible stories they share with us. One such encounter occurred Marathon Sunday 2002.
While most people were finished with their race and the task of break down and clean up had begun, a member of our staff was approached by a young woman requesting her brother's marathon medal. A call went out over the radio for the event directors to meet at the command center. A hush went over the group as the young woman, who introduced herself as Jill, quietly spoke about her best friend. She explained how six months earlier he had excitedly committed to run his first marathon and had chosen ours to run. She promised him that she would be there for him 
when he crossed the finish line and together they planned for a special trip to San Diego. He was not there on race day. Jill's best friend, her brother Joshua, had perished along with thousands others in the World Trade Center as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001. In spite of her still fresh pain Jill knew she had to keep her promise to her brother and without telling her family or friends she made what was to be a fun trip to San Diego with her brother, alone.
We were all so touched and inspired by Jill and her brother Joshua who we've come to know through Jill. From this encounter the Spirit of Joshua Award was born. This award is presented annually to someone who has overcome great obstacles to get to the marathon. It is a living tribute to Josh and to his sister Jill, who despite her brother's death, kept her commitment to him.
2010 Spirit of Joshua Award Recipient
Jeremy Poincenot
A year ago Jeremy Poincenot was a typical San Diego State University student and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He woke one morning just after turning 19 and realized his vision was blurry. Over the next two months he lost all of his central vision and is now legally blind with 20/1000 vision due to a rare, incurable genetic disorder called LHON.The shock of sudden blindness is a challenge that Jeremy has confronted with an amazing attitude. Rather than feel sorry for himself for what he lost (the ability to see faces, read, drive, etc.), he has focused on being grateful for the many things he still has. He has taken on many new challenges:
- Along with some college friends, he created a Cycling Under Reduced Eyesight - CURE, a charity bike ride to raise awareness and funds for LHON research underway at the Doheny Eye Institute.
- He took up blind golf and placed 3rd in the US Blind Golf Association National Championships.
- Along with some fraternity brothers, he developed a clothing company.
- He’s given speeches about LHON and blindness to sororities, fraternities and philanthropic organizations.
- He’s gone skydiving, taken up surfing and begun painting.
The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Half Marathon was Jeremy’s first-ever competitive running event. Alden Wood, a fraternity brother, served as his visual interpreter (seeing-eye brother).
Click here to read about our past Spirit of Joshua Award recipients.
Do you know someone who you think deserves the Spirit of Joshua Award?
You're encouraged to nominate a Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon registrant whom you feel exhibits the kind of extraordinary courage, compassion, commitment and determination as you have read above. If your candidate is chosen, we would like to acknowledge that person at the finish line of the Carlsbad Marathon.
How to nominate someone:
Submit your recommendation and candidate information no later than December 15.
Submissions may be sent via email to info@inmotionevents.com subject line: Spirit of Joshua Award candidate or, faxed to: Sprit of Joshua Award Candidate, fax number: 760.692.2901.
