The Best Race Ever

In 1995 I lost my husband, Ken Brumbaugh to an accident. Nine years earlier he was diagnosed with a brain cancer. He was given a year if they could get him into remission. He never let that bring him down. He did, of course, go into remission.

We were involved in many activities. Fishing, hunting and he loved racing. Running, cycling, biathlons, triathlons, marathons, etc. For all the medical problems the man had he was very physically fit. He inspired many people in many ways.

He used to say to me that he'd rather die doing something he loved instead of from this cancer which was supposed to be terminal. Every year he went for an MRI and we anxiously waited but always received good news.

While running a friend and he were hit by a car. The friend survived but Ken did not. I can say I had never felt that lonely in my whole life. I had so many people around me but I just felt so numb. When the funeral and the gatherings were all over a couple of our friends approached me about starting a running race in his honor.

That was the best idea I had ever heard at that time. We had decided to organize this race on all of Ken's standards as far as racing and life. Ken was one that would finish a race, then run back to the last runner and run in with them. He felt every runner, volunteer and sponsor was very important. He would get upset about handing out rewards before the last runner came in. That is what the Ken Brumbaugh Memorial Race was all about. Everyone that was involved.

Our first race was held only five months after Ken's death. We held it at the end of March. We wanted it to be the first race of the year because Ken always looked forward to that first race. Being busy with the race was very good for me also.

Race day came and what normally was the a cold and possibly a snow day was so beautiful. The temperature was in the sixties and the sun shined. We had many pre-registered but more kept coming and coming. The hillside was carefully watch and we had people help parking. Parking in this area was at a premium but it was very well organize. I was so amazed about all the people. Friends he had touched in many ways. If they did not run they volunteered. What a tribute. Over 200 people ran that race. I knew Ken was watching.

I had made an announcement to all of them after the race. I told them if he was there, he would be so embarrassed. That was just how he was. It was truly wonderful to see so many people that he knew in one way or another. Many he raced with. He hunted, fished or worked with some. Then there were the ones he inspired with his fight against his cancer. Never giving up.

Out of all the races I had ever seen this one of the most exciting. Believe me, we saw many.

This year on March 21, 2010 we will hold the fifteenth race in Ken's honor. Always the same people and a lot of new ones. Over the years the race has always been very successful. We have had about every kind of weather there is but they still come. I just hope we are done with most of the snow by then.