Reach the Beach Team to Support Alzheimer's Association

I write this piece as a long time Forum reader and first time contributor. Have you ever wondered what those people, running through Bear Brook in the early morning are doing? Well, they’ve just run 180 miles from Cannon Mountain and will soon be jumping in the ocean at Hampton Beach when they get to the finish line! This fall, September 12-13 marks year 16 of New Balance’s Reach the Beach 200 mile Relay Race. Although, most people hardly think of it as a race. Most team’s ultimate goal is to finish with minimal injuries and all the runners who started. Some also run for other reasons. This will be the third year Deerfield’s team; the Marauders will run RTB in support of the Alzheimer’s Association.

We have a team wholly composed of Deerfield residents, all coming back for the third year strong! Our first year, 2012, the team raised more funds for the Alzheimer’s Association then any other team that year running for the cause; as well as in the previous two years! We did this by training in the 6 short weeks prior to the event and having our first team meeting the night before the race! We came back our second year to prove it wasn’t dumb luck that we managed to get across the finish line. This being year three, with our team finding it’s rhythm, getting used to the course, working well on two hours of sleep, running 9 miles at 1:00 am and all the great people, we are set to make 2014 our best appearance yet.

This last winter the Alzheimer’s Association made a point to personally thank the Marauders for their spirit and dedication to helping to fund the research and support avenues the Association provides. I had a chance to meet just a portion of the web that the passionate doctors, care providers, advocates and Alzheimer’s Association personnel make up. I am confident that in doing what we can to raise awareness and funds for the programs they create and maintain we are making a difference.

As praise came to our team from the Association I immediately included the town of Deerfield. I have put in a good word with a few people there about what Deerfield is capable of and they are excited to see what we come up with. I am still amazed at the amount of spontaneous support that came to my family. We simply could not have made it without you. Thank you. I appreciate you dropping off food, sending a card, fixing a broken door or, leaky sink, calling, stopping by, so many things. I’m grateful to call Deerfield home, no matter where I may live.

Alzheimer’s is growing far too rapidly for us to sit back and assume someone else will take care of it. If you may have time to volunteer at the Bear Brook Transition area Saturday morning, along the Deerfield Leg down South Road, or would like to make a donation, please contact Paul Cook at paulburtoncookATgmail.com and I can let you in on what we are thinking for this year.