Meet Your Twin Cities 3-Day Coaches

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The Twin Cities 3-Day is coming up fast, and our coaches can’t wait to welcome all the walkers to their hometown! Some of the Twin Cities coaches and staff have been with the 3-Day for a while, but there are also some new faces. It’s the perfect time to get to know your coaches better!

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A new addition this year is Coach Dana Dalpra, who is joining the Twin Cities 3-Day team after spending the last six years living in Hawaii (lucky lady!).

Coach Stephanie says her “kind heart, her willingness to help everyone and her go get ‘em attitude” all make Dana a great part of the coaching team.

A big heart is common among all three ladies, with Coach Kiki Setterlund saying, “I love the care and compassion my colleagues have for, not only the big picture of ending breast cancer, but for each and every one of our participants. I participate in many different events for non-profits locally. I haven’t received the care and attention like my colleagues provide our participants. Truly.”

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Dana echoes that, and is happy to join in the cause!

“I love my team! I don’t think we’ve had a call where we aren’t laughing. Their sense of humor is everything. […] Stephanie, Kiki and Eileen are so informed and organized that it’s helped me to dive right in with confidence. Additionally, I work very closely with the other 3-Day coaches across the country. Because of all of them, I feel supported which leads to the success of the Twin Cities 3-Day this year. It’s definitely a supportive, welcoming group effort.”

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That is, in part, because of their history with the 3-Day cause. Coach Kiki used to be the Race Director for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Madison, WI, while Dana coached the 3-Day in Tampa Bay, FL for five years before her big move to Hawaii. Even Stephanie’s family has gotten involved, including her daughter who has served on the Twin Cities 3-Day Youth Corps.

In addition to their love for the 3-Day, both Stephanie and Dana have a passion for Italy, and list it on the top of their “must-visit” travel lists. All the coaches also love food! From a lavender glazed lemon donut (Dana) to “anything fried and on a stick” (Minnesota native Kiki), even salad (Stephanie)!

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They also have some interesting past lives!

When she was young, Stephanie was a speed skater in Wisconsin, and trained at the same facility as future speed skating Olympians! Dana used to be a marine biologist, working at a range of zoos and aquariums, and Kiki was a Vocal Performance major in college who still has Eminem on her walking playlist of pump-up jams!

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However, before they can take any time off for an Italian vacation or hold an Eminem dance party, they are working hard to have the Twin Cities 3-Day all ready for their walkers! Stay tuned for more fun memories and exciting plans from the coaches next week on the blog, and be sure to follow along with them on Facebook too!

Note: Coach Stephanie and Coach Dana won’t be present throughout the entire event at the 3-Day this year due to personal circumstances, but they will both be making an appearance to cheer on all of the Twin Cities walkers.

Twin Cities 3-Day Route Preview

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The Twin Cities 3-Day is coming up this weekend, and as you get ready for the event, we have a preview of what to expect! For those who are familiar with the route, you will see a lot of our favorite sights of the Twin Cities. If you’re new to the walk this year, you will love seeing all the natural beauty of Minnesota, as well as getting to know Minneapolis and St. Paul better.

Our walk this year begins at Southdale Center in Edina. It has been a local staple since 1956 and is the perfect jumping off point for sixty miles of fun. This was the original Mall of America!

From there, much of our first day of walking will be the route we have used in years past. We will leave Edina and walk through many parks and trails in the area. Event Production Manager Eileen Barnick promises you will see “many beautiful lakes and trails! If you’re into nature you’re going to love this walk!”

Those views include a trail between Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun!

Grab & Go A will be at Father Hennepin Bluffs. You will see the name Louis Hennepin all around the area. He was a famous missionary explorer during the Lewis and Clark era, so a lot of the known history of the Twin Cities we know because of him!

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After lunch at Loring Park, walkers will cross the Stone Arch bridge, which is great for photos! This year there will also be a spot by the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. It was under construction last year, but this year it will be another great spot for photos. We will end Day One at the University of Minnesota campus before bussing to camp.

Our camp will be at Harvest Park, and walkers will have a mile walk on a quiet trail both in and out of camp, so it’s a little secluded.

“It’s really quiet, with no car traffic, so it’s totally our own little village for the weekend! Perfect for beauty sleep!” says Eileen.

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Day Two will take place in the suburbs of the Twin Cities. We will start out on a trail and then go through some beautiful local neighborhoods before heading back into nature!

After lunch, we will hit the amazing St. Paul Utility Trail between two lakes in Vadnais Snail Regional Park.

Per Eileen, Day Two has “a good mix of streets and trails on this day, but the Vadnais Park is breathtaking!”

Day Three is a favorite of Coach Kiki Setterlund’s, thanks to the Indian Mound Park in the heart of St. Paul. It will be about 70-80% of street walking on Sunday, but Indian Mound Park overlooks St. Paul for epic views. Walkers will then go down a hill towards the water.

“You’ll have great views as you walk through the city, and then you’ll come up to the Closing Ceremony!”

Eileen echoes that sentiment, saying that crossing Wabasha Bridge towards Closing Ceremony at Harriet Island is like a “victory march” to end the 3-Day.

The Closing Ceremony site on Harriet Island is another one of Kiki’s favorite spots.

“It is our third year there, and the beautiful backdrop of St. Paul has great views of the Mississippi River!”

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All in all, there will be plenty of scenic views over the course of all sixty miles, and the whole Twin Cities 3-Day team is hoping for some sunshine so walkers can enjoy them!

Kiki promises, “The local staff has sent in a memo to Mother Nature to request blue skies and sunny weather! It looks like we might get finally that after a few years of tough weather in the past. We are hoping that Mother Nature will work with us. We can’t wait to have you all on the route this year and in our gorgeous city!”

For more of our favorite sights from the Twin Cities 3-Day, check out our photo slideshow!

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What are you looking forward to most on the Twin Cities 3-Day? Tell us in the comments! And, if you have any more questions, your Twin Cities 3-Day coaches are here to help!

2017 Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day Wrap-up

On Friday morning of our first 2017 3-Day, the sky cleared for a bright blue sunrise at Walled Lake Western High School. Our 350 Michigan 3-Day walkers had perfect walking weather to start their 60-mile journey that began with a poignant Opening Ceremony led by local participants.

The first pit stop, at Bayside Grille, was right along the water at mile 2.7, giving all our walkers great views and photo opportunities with our Boo Bees pit crew and volunteers. From there, they visited Pit 2 at Meadowbrook Elementary School after a brisk 6.4 miles of walking. Then, after 11.2 miles, the walkers got a rest and lunch break (including salads this year!) at Meadowbrook Congregational Church. They stretched, refueled and relaxed on our new pink Mohawk mats, which were a favorite for our first picnic lunch.

After lunch, the next pit stop was Dr. Seuss-themed at Christ Presbyterian Church at mile 14.6. And oh the places the walkers would go after that! With brains in their heads and feet in their shoes, they headed off through the cheering station at Novi High School, and on to pit stop 4 at mile 17.

The first day finished at Novi Middle School for dinner, camp and relaxing. Friday had seen our walkers trek 19.3 miles in record time, so everyone took advantage of the Bank of America massage chairs, trail mix bar, relaxation areas and other treats.

At camp, survivor speaker Pala Liske gave a deeply personal and heartwarming speech, thanking all the walkers who had come before her. Bank of America then honored Top Team Fundraiser, The Hines Pink Pathers, as well as Top Individual Fundraiser Mary Ann Isaac, who raised more than $29,000 this year. Gary Bertolini was our Top Crew Fundraiser, and we also celebrated the 68 walkers who are celebrating 10 or more years on the 3-Day. Together, these 68 walkers have raised $3.4 million in their lifetime!

Later, Jim Hillmann received the Milestone Award for his 10 years and 50 events on the 3-Day. He has raised $153,004 in his time on the 3-Day and received resounding applause from his fellow walkers. In addition, Dan Sinclair won the Local Impact Award thanks to his 14 years, 40 events, and $23,623 lifetime raised. Everyone went to sleep that night inspired!

Day 2 started off with sunshine as the walkers sailed in to their longest day of walking for the weekend. At mile 3.5, they stopped at Thornton Creek Elementary School, they hit up pit stop 1 to stock up on grahamwiches and orange slices. Pit stop 2 saw our walkers visiting the western-themed Wild Wild Breast at mile 7.8 for the day at beautiful Cass Benton Park.

During lunch at the Plymouth Cultural Center, we met our Youth Corps to learn why, and for whom, each of them walked. Leaving lunch, the walkers had already stepped through 11 miles for the day!

Our first cheering station on Saturday was at the iconic Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth. At mile 11.8, the walkers came upon a photo favorite: the pink fountain! The community turned out in full force with music, cheering and plenty of opportunities for selfies.

Then there was a second cheering station at Cook School, and the Treasure Breast pit stop 4 at mile 19.4 at Spillane & Reynolds Orthodontics. This pit stop came complete with a two-person pirate ship, Captain Jack Sparrow photo op and lots of other booty-ful treats to propel our walkers through the last few miles of the day.

After 22.3 miles, our walkers came home to camp back at Novi Middle School, where the local cheerleading squad and football teams were on hand to welcome our final walker in. After that, walkers dug into everyone’s favorite 3-Day meal: macaroni and cheese! During and after dinner, walkers could listen to performances by local musical acts, as well as play games with their friends and family. For extra fun for the friends and family, there were also local food trucks and even a Bank of America mini golf course on hand. Plenty of fun was had before everyone turned into their cozy pink tents for the night.

Sunday morning began with more sunshine, and our walkers kicked off their last day at Kennedy Elementary School. The 3-Dayers walked through Livonia, Westland, and Dearborn Heights throughout the morning, logging 7.9 miles before they arrived at pit stop 2. There they were greeted by cheerleaders, complete with pink pom poms!

Before lunch at mile 10.8, the walkers passed through a huge community cheering section! A whole neighborhood came out to cheer our walkers on, take photos, and help give an extra pep in their step as they arrived at York Park for lunchtime.

With only a few miles to go, the walkers breezed through pit stop 3 at Lizzie’s Pasture to arrive at Ford World Headquarters. After completing 15.5 miles on Day 3, our Michigan 3-Day walkers had arrived at the finish line!

Their journey is never truly done, though, as was evidenced in our closing ceremony. We are all still working, and walking towards Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce the nation’s 40,000 breast cancer deaths by 50 percent by 2026. Our 350 walkers and 250 crew members made great strides this weekend, raising more than $1.1 million towards the cause, much of which will go directly back to the local Michigan community efforts.

As we hugged and celebrated and danced in the sun, one message rang loud and clear; that though our feet may ache, our spirit and dedication will live forever; through aches, and pain, and blisters. We are shouting loudly and proudly that in this fight, where we seek to live in a world free of breast cancer, WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. Thank you, Michigan. We are so very proud of each and every one of you.