What a weekend we had at the 2014 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Seattle! The Seattle Center was the perfect backdrop for an inspiring and moving Opening Ceremony, with the Space Needle glowing behind the Fisher Pavilion. After a beautiful sunrise, we were reminded why we walk and crew by Dr. Sheri, moved by amazing survivor and participant stories, and headed out with our first steps, passing by the Experience Music Project Museum. Walkers crossed the famous I-90 Floating Bridge, were cheered on by the amazing Seattle community at the Park on the Lid on Mercer Island, and then enjoyed lunch at the ‘3-Day Diner’, complete with retro music, at Bellevue Park.
After lunch and a stop by the Paradise themed pit stop, it was off to Mile 14.5, where walkers posed at the beautiful Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Into Redmond, we got a little more pep in our step from an energetic cheering station at Idylwood Park, complete with spectators handing out delicious snacks and holding heartfelt signs. After 22.9 miles, we arrived into camp at the gorgeous Marymoor Park, where the sea of pink tents popped against the blue and orange sunset. We got to meet Seattle’s top fundraisers, played a few games with our friends at Bank of America, and heard an inspirational story from Survivor Dottie C. We headed to bed empowered by the reminders of why we walk.
Seattle’s characteristic gray skies set the scene for Day 2, but the gray cloud clover was appreciated as walkers embarked on the 20.8-mile route. At Mile 5.6, the Lake Washington Waterfront featured pit stop 2, also an amazing photo opportunity as walkers said ‘Cheese’ with passing boats in the background. At Heritage Park, cheerleaders created an enthusiastic tunnel of sparkly pink pom-poms. The community came out in full support, some serving handmade snacks like cream-cheese stuffed celery sticks, and some serving frozen Gatorade mocktails. At this point, the sun broke through the clouds, revealing a radiant blue sky, just in time for lunch under the trees at Juanita Beach Park. At Mile 20.8, walkers arrived home to camp, where they heard Sarah L. share her moving Survivor story, and series-walker William K. shared his many reasons why he walks.
Day 3 began with a quick bus ride toward Seattle, and after 2.4 miles, walkers were treated with pit stop 1 at Gas Works Park, set against a sweeping view of the Seattle skyline. Then it was on to the Ballard Locks, a unique series of interlocking bridges between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal.
The community, complete with dogs decked out in feather boas, and energetic cheerleaders, kept walkers going onwards to lunch, and then on to the majestic sights of Magnolia Viewpoint.
At Mile 16.3, walkers celebrated their victory by heading back to the Seattle Center, rallied by the sights and sounds of hundreds of people in pink. As our crew, volunteers, wlkers, and survivors marched into the Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, with the Space Needle standing proudly behind us, we were overcome with a fierce sense of dedication and triumph. With the help of 925 walkers and 275 crew, we raised $2.7 million dollars, and are now 3 days and 60 miles closer to the end of breast cancer forever. Thank you, Seattle.
