Breathe Deep Seattle 5K: On the run, to end lung cancer

| Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Like so many benefit 5K’s, today’s Breathe Deep Seattle walk/run in Lincoln Park was both a big-group celebration, and an intensely personal event. Breathe Deep benefits the lung-cancer-fighting LUNGevity Foundation, and the tributes to lung-cancer patients past and present were everywhere, like the one D.J. Vallaca wrote before the start:

… and the one worn in support of Ray Flores, whose Team Flores had dozens of members:

Extra inspiration came from survivor Eva Borsi, speaking before the race:

More scenes from today’s Breathe Deep Seattle 5K – including the top finishers, one of whom was half the other one’s age! – ahead:

Organizer Amy May had been planning this year’s event since almost the moment last year’s Breathe Deep – also held in Lincoln Park – concluded:

(Here’s her personal story about the inspiration for BDS – a family member’s fight.) Fundraisers even included a sale back in May during WSB-presented West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. Meantime, there was pre-race music today too, with the band Liquid Courage:

More than 140 runners/walkers gathered at the starting line:

…and they were off! on a course that started in the upper park:

… continued through the trees …

… headed down to the beach …

… and along the water:

Some reassurance toward the end:

The first finisher was 22-year-old Chris Boyle, in 16:23:

11-year-old Kelsey Lenzie was the first female finisher, at 22:43:

You can see full results here; watch the Breathe Deep Seattle Facebook page for more post-race updates.

P.S. Next big benefit 5K in West Seattle is the Northwest Hope and Healing-presented Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run on August 26th, just two weeks from tomorrow; sign-up information is here.

miws August 11, 2012 (7:35 pm)

As someone with Asthma, COPD, and Congestive Heart Failure—all of which can affect my breathing—I’d like to thank everyone that participated in, and contributed to this.

Very inspiring…… ;-)

Mike

bsmomma August 11, 2012 (9:16 pm)

Our whole family (23 of us) walked for GrammaLina. She passed away from complications from lung cancer. Never smoked a day in her life. It was a great event. We’ll be there next year and every year after! A huge Thanks to everyone who made the vnt possible!

miws August 11, 2012 (10:02 pm)

Good on ya, and the other 22 folks in your family, bsmomma!

Almost without exception, all of the Medical Staff I’ve dealt with since the first of the year, have responded in a shocked manner, when seeing that I have COPD, and I tell them I have never smoked a cigarette. Not even once.

I was, however, exposed to second hand smoke as a child, and then as a younger adult, when I’d hang out in smoky bars.

Mike

Robert F Flor August 12, 2012 (8:33 am)

A big Thank You to everyone who walked, ran or contributed in any way to the Breathe Deep Seattle. It was a wonderful event that supports those with lung cancer. As a member of Team Flores, my wife and I found the turnout very inspiring.

Amy May August 12, 2012 (1:50 pm)

Thank you to everyone who participated in the event. The teams, runners, walkers, and volunteers (and weather!) were all amazing. The organizing committe can’t thank you enough!