By Susan Wiggins
Mayor
Run for breast cancer
A Page of History
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"So blessed to have done this in her honor and to have her cheering me on at the finish line. Love you aunt Teri Strahan," said Clayton Strahan.
This week I am departing from my usual theme of my mother Marion Deaver's articles on history.
This time I am honoring some other members of my family who recently ran a half marathon to raise funds for other family members and friends who are battling breast cancer.
My son Clayton Strahan knew that his aunt Teri Strahan has been battling breast cancer for over two years. He also learned that his childhood friend Heather Almond Utterback, who now lives in Oregon, was also in the same type or battle and decided to do what he could to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and the fight for their lives these and other women are facing.
Clayton found a group out of state that challenged runners all over the United States to do a virtual half marathon, running for three months equal to the half marathon while collecting funds for breast cancer research.
He and his friends ran over 300 miles and raised the funds, but Clayton still wanted to run the real thing.
He challenged his sister Meg Molloy to run with him and in the process her 10 year old son Wyatt said he wanted to try and run the 13.1 half marathon too.
The Sunday morning they chose recently dawned bright and warm at Yocut's Park in Bakersfield. Clayton measured out the miles along the bike path and Wyatt's brother Will, 12, was the time keeper, after running a mile in support of the ladies.
Clayton's wife Sarah made signs to support the runners and Clay made pink ribbon headbands for all to wear.
Clayton's friend Caleb Woods rode his bike, a feat in itself, after he tore his femoral artery and seriously broke his leg two months ago and still has no feeling in his leg, but he rode the entire thing!
During Clayton's training his knee starting giving him fits. He was worried that he would not be able to do the run, but his friend Caleb came through once again and told him about KT tape.
Clay wrapped his knee and was able to complete the race. However his phycisian told him no more for a few weeks and maybe some physical therapy to avoid surgery.
To surprise her niece and nephew and others Teri Strahan and her husband Wendell showed up to the race to cheer them all on.
Wyatt not only completed the race but beat his mom's time by 10 minutes.
Clayton went home to ice his knee and Wyatt and Meg went home to do the same. I understand that all participants were moving slowly the next day.
I told them that they all wrote a new Page in History for this family that they, and all of us, will remember as the day they took a stand against breast cancer.
