He Hopes Volunteers Will Roll In Bloomsday Enthusiasts In Wheelchairs Need A Push
Nothing - not even a stroke - could stop John L. MacBrayne from doing Bloomsday.
The retired Army sergeant ran the race for 15 consecutive years, sometimes in less than an hour. Last year, after suffering a stroke six months earlier, MacBrayne was on the course again. This time, in a wheelchair.
“It was just a question of how I was going to do it,” the 74-year-old man said. “I’m so sold on Bloomsday that even if I had been on a stretcher, I would have asked someone to carry me.”
Too weak to roll himself for 7.46 miles, people took turns pushing him throughout the course.
This year, MacBrayne needs help again.
Like other people confined to wheelchairs, MacBrayne is looking for volunteers to help push him through Bloomsday.
“I love Bloomsday,” said MacBrayne, his speech still slightly slurred from the stroke. “I used to run it. Now, I just want to keep doing it.”
Amy Warren, who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and suffers from a rapid heart condition, can’t walk more than a block. She has never done Bloomsday before but wants to.
Like MacBrayne, she doesn’t know anyone who can help push her along the course. Her daughter is only 9 years old, she said, and her husband can’t help because he has carpal tunnel syndrome.
“I don’t care if I come in last place,” said Warren, 32. “I just want to be able to say I did it.”
There are others like MacBrayne and Warren. If you would like to help push someone in a wheelchair, call the Bloomsday office at 838-1579.
Wheelchair seeding
This year’s wheelchair seeding race begins at 8:30 a.m. on May 3.
Started in 1994, the one-kilometer event determines seeding in the actual race.
The course begins at the Kardong Bridge and winds to mile post 21 on the Centennial Trail.
About 50 people in wheelchairs show up every year, said Casey Sterling, one of the organizers.
Corporate entries due
Corporate Cup entries are due today.
And don’t forget Saturday is the early-registration deadline.
As of Tuesday, about 14,500 people had registered for the race, said Regina M. Runyan, a U.S. Bank employee in charge of processing entry forms. Last year, early entries were running close to 20,000 around this time.
“It’s a little slow considering the deadline is this weekend,” Runyan said. “We’re going to get nailed on Saturday.”
Bloomsday officials hope to beat last year’s record total of 61,298. There were 56,156 finishers, beating the San Francisco Bay to Breakers total for the second time in Bloomsday history.
Registration costs $8 until Saturday. After that, it jumps to $25 and you’ll have to go to the Ag Trade Center May 2 or 3 to sign up. Don’t bother sending a form after April 12. It won’t get processed.
Entry forms are available at U.S. Bank branches, Safeway stores, Snyder’s Bakery and local sporting goods stores.
Miniature sculpture
To help commemorate Bloomsday this year, the American Association of University Women has come up with a special souvenir: Riverfront Park’s runners sculpture in miniature form.
The souvenir is a smaller version of Chewelah artist David Govedare’s “The Joy of Running Together,” which celebrates Spokane’s annual race.
The miniature costs $11, plus $2.24 for shipping and handling.
To order, call AAUW members at 456-7710, 624-0937 or 328-2684.
Profits go to the AAUW scholarship fund, which helps non-traditional students.
Family fun
The Spokesman-Review is looking for families who have run Bloomsday together throughout the years. We want your photos, your stories, your perspective on the largest timed race in the world.
To tell us about your family, call 459-5517 or e-mail virginiad@spokesman.com
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos