The Sole Sisters 5K Race will be back once again at Dartmouth Crossing on June 8.
Last year 1,500 women ran and walked in the first ever women-only 5K to be held in Dartmouth.
The event was so popular it sold out pretty early, too early for Lawrencetown resident Sacha Bremner.
But this year she won't be missing out on the fun.
"I made sure to register now to get in on this race. I read so many of the Inspired Steps stories last year. They encouraged me to enter the race and to tell my own running story."
Bremner's story is one of overcoming adversity and staying positive.
Running was something she did to keep active, but it was not a major part of her life until 2011.
"In January 2011, my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer, a few days before he was supposed to leave for Afghanistan. Our daughter was 13 months old at the time. The day after my husband J.P. was diagnosed, we found out baby number two was on the way."
Faced with some huge challenges, Bremner had some choices to make.
"A choice to constantly worry about how I would handle everything or find an outlet. I could have stayed in bed, worried and felt depressed, but I made the decision not to."
She gave birth to her second child, Jacob, in September 2011. He joined his proud big sister Sophie, who is now three. Four months after that she began to run.
"I found ways to cope, and to be a healthy role model for my two kids."
And other runners continue to inspire and encourage Bremner.
"You don't know what anyone's journey will be.To me, running is that hour out of the day where cancer does not exist. An hour where it is just me and the trail, and that amazing feeling that running gives you."
Her husband supports her passion for running.
"His prognosis was for one year, but he is another year beyond that date now. We take each day as it comes. Sometimes, even moment by moment. We can't control the future, but you can find that thing that keeps you going. For me, it is running."
This year Bremner will celebrate with other women by participating in Sole Sisters.
After that she hopes to run in the Maritime Race Weekend's 10K.
"Set goals, feel that sense of accomplishment that comes from running and take time for yourself. We all need it."
joanneoostveen@accesswave.ca
The Weekly News is a proud sponsor of Sole Sisters.
Sole Sisters sold out
The 2013 Sole Sisters 5K race sold out five months before race-day! Organizers cannot expand the size of the race this year, and do not have the resources to maintain a cancellation list. For logistics and safety reasons, in order to run or walk in the race, women need proof of registration by wearing a Sole Sisters race bib – anyone not wearing a bib isn’t permitted to participate this year. By capping the size of the race, they are able to ensure a quality experience. But you can still be involved! They still need at least 100 volunteers and encourage women to sign-up to support the 2,500 Sole Sisters in the race.
Here’s the link to volunteer sign-up:
https://www.events.runningroom.com/applications/volunteerregistration.php?raceId=8203&vrindex=3
If you cannot commit time in the days leading up to or during race-day, then come and cheer along the sidelines, make signs, bring noisemakers and celebrate these amazing women! Males are encouraged to volunteer at the race in lots of fun capacities, or cheer along the route and join the runners at the post-race party.
