3-Day walkers in West Seattle: Seen and heard

The goal is the same — momentum toward a breast-cancer cure — but the Race for the Cure and the 3-Day Walk are very different, even to watch. The former is an intense, relatively brief crowd event; the latter, we learned along Lincoln Park and Beach Drive and Alki Ave this morning, is no giant throng with the hundreds of walkers passing at once, but instead a steady stream, sometimes one by one:

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Emotions run high — watching the 3-Dayers while shadowing them for a few miles from the other side of the street brought us to tears at times, perhaps intensified by the fact we both lost our moms to cancer — but that includes joyful emotions; the 3-Day clearly is boisterous and celebratory, as were the people who could be found all along the route this morning, cheering the walkers from the sidewalk (or honking from the street):

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Along Alki Ave’s Condo Row, signs and pink ribbons cropped up on balconies:

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And all along the shore, the walkers streamed on by:

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By 10 am, while the fastest/earliest walkers were out of West Seattle and headed for this afternoon’s ceremonies at Seattle Center, the last group members were still walking along Beach Drive, just past the whimsically decorated rest stop set up at Me-Kwa-Mooks:

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Before a few final pictures … a reminder why this matters.

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5 Replies to "3-Day walkers in West Seattle: Seen and heard"

  • Rhonda Porter September 9, 2007 (11:34 am)

    What a beautiful post. I sat out this morning to cheer ’em on. Next Sunday we’ll have another marathon for breast cancer in West Seattle.

  • grateful September 9, 2007 (12:31 pm)

    I want to add my thanks to all the walkers, runners, organizations and supporters who fight against this awful disease. My sister died of breast cancer four years at the age of 42 so I am keenly aware of the need for and the benefit that all of these organizations bring. Next weekend’s NW Hope & Healing event (a 5K family fun run/walk and the Half-Marathon run/walk) should be great – and NWHH is a West Seattle-based organization, to boot!

  • Jan September 9, 2007 (2:01 pm)

    Thank you so much for posting these pictures. And thanks to all who are walking. It is an incredible feat that these women are doing, some still in treatment. Despite what the media says, there really is no real cure for this dreaded disease that is happening to more and more younger women. I’m a 2+ year BC survivor, and I truly believe that there is no more cancer in my body…but…a real cure is yet to be found. I know I am ever grateful for the women who participate in these fundraisers.

  • Chris M September 9, 2007 (7:00 pm)

    We walked amongst some of these fantastic folks on our brunch walk to Luna Park this morning, and were sure to smile and say “Thanks,” “Good luck!” and “Keep it up!”

    There were plenty of people walking by us as we walked the restaurant, plenty of people walking by as we ate (and occasionally broke out in cheering/clapping), and even more on the way as we walked back home… the sheer NUMBER of walkers was inspirational.

  • West Seattle 3-Dayer September 9, 2007 (7:14 pm)

    Thanks so much for posting the pictures and supportive words. I am a West Seattle resident and I just got home from doing the 3-Day with two of my friends. My mom passed from breast cancer two years ago and this is truly a positive event, filled with love, support and kindness. I do have to admit that, as a cheerleader for West Seattle, I was disappointed with the “reception” that we got around Lincoln Park and Beach Drive. Multiple neighbors complained about the noise this morning, which stifled our support staff’s ability to cheer. Drivers and dog walkers did not so much as wave as they had to us the previous two mornings. I was so looking forward to a warm reception in my wonderful home stomping grounds and none of the residents along Lincoln Park or Beach Drive came out to support us those first three+ miles (except for the awesome Beach Drive woman in the clown costume playing the harp and the lovely couple who stood outside their home and handed out free water bottles). We had much better morning receptions in (dare I say) Bellevue and Seward Park the first two days. Of course, once we got to the light house and rounded the corner to Alki, it was amazing. I have to say that Alki truly rocks. Thanks to everyone who came out and cheered. You helped hundreds (or shall I say 2500) tired souls make it through the last painful miles. You have my love and appreciation.

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