Photo courtesy of Michele Bryant
Pine Cove resident Michele Bryant had big dreams — to run the San Diego (Suja) Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon and raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
The event, both marathon and half marathon, takes place Sunday, June 5. It starts at 6th and Quince at Balboa Park, runs through historic downtown neighborhoods, and ends at Waterfront Park.
Bryant was scheduled to run as a St. Jude’s Hero, part of a team unified in its goal to run a full marathon and raise money to benefit the work of St. Jude’s. But, while raising more than $500, Bryant sustained a minor training injury that forced her to shorten her training regimen. “I can compete but thought it wiser to scale back the length to a half marathon,” she said. “I’ll still run with the team but not the full marathon.”
She said she has long supported the work of St. Jude’s, since becoming involved in St. Jude’s Math-a-Thon as a kid. St. Jude’s provides treatment for children with life-threatening diseases, and room and board for families of young patients so they can be with their children. “Since they’re a children’s hospital, they also work hard to create a welcoming and fun environment for the children while they fight for their lives,” said Bryant. “That can be very important in keeping their minds in a good place for healing.”
Readers who might still be interested in supporting Bryant’s charity and fundraising goals can visit gofund.me/michelebryant and donate online. “I’ve been fundraising through my personal network, but am also reaching out to local businesses around Idyllwild for donations,” said Bryant.
Originally from New Hampshire, Bryant wants to continue training and qualifying so that she can eventually run in the Boston Marathon.
