Friday dawned with a bit of liquid sunshine to kick off our first West Coast 3-Day of 2018! As the sun rose over the Seattle Space Needle, our walkers and crew raised their arms to honor survivors, those living with metastatic breast cancer, and those who they would carry in their hearts on this 60-mile journey. It was an inspirational and motivational start to Day One of the Seattle 3-Day!
From there, our walkers braved the elements with smiles on their faces as they took on the first few miles. They crossed through Rogers Playfield after 2.3 miles for Pit 1 and by the time they arrived at lunch at downtown Bellevue Park, the rain had cleared.
Then, the sun came out just in time for lunch, and the walkers rejoiced! Laying in the sun on their Mohawk mats was the perfect way to enjoy lunch. We also met our Seattle Youth Corps in a Facebook Live! From there, they walked through Bellevue and Redmond before arriving back home at camp at Marymoor Park. The fall night finished crisp and clear as our last walker came home to camp.
Our camp show on Friday night featured memories from some of our walkers, a message from Susan G. Komen’s CEO and awarding our Seattle Milestone and Local Impact Award winners. After that, participants returned to their tents for a much-needed good night sleep.
Day Two started from camp and the walkers went through Grass Lawn Park at Pit One after 3.1 miles. The scenery was beautiful, and our walkers made quick work of the next few miles before arriving at lunch at Juanita Beach Park. There was dancing, relaxing, and lots of fun!
In the afternoon on Day Two there were lots of cheering stations and community support as walkers went through the Kirkland and Redmond neighborhoods. Walkers loved taking photos with the Seattle “Angel,” the Lil’ Smokies Guys and the Parrotheads of Puget Sound. The Youth Corps was also running around, spreading laughter wherever they went!
Our final walker came into camp, welcomed by a crowd, on Friends & Family night to end Day Two! Walkers relaxed in the Bank of America massage chairs and dug into mac n’ cheese for dinner – two long-time 3-Day favorite traditions. Our Saturday camp was full of emotions, as we heard from a local survivor speaker and our Seattle Youth Corps, who all described why they participate in the 3-Day and how it has changed their lives. We ended on a high note with a camp dance party!
And then, suddenly, it was already Day Three! Walkers were bused to start their day on the beautiful University of Washington campus before walking through downtown Seattle parks and trails. They arrived at Pit Stop 2, and Gasworks Park, after taking on 7.1 miles already. The sun came out for Pit 2, and walkers were able to get a lot of great photos and memories along the waterfront before continuing their journey.
From there, we continued along the water and into the heart of downtown Seattle, stopping for lunch at Lake Union Park. The Olympic Sculpture Park was another great photo spot at Mile 12.6 on the day, before everyone came home and crossed the finish line at Seattle Center.
In view of the famous Seattle Space Needle, we had not one but TWO marriage proposals (and enthusiastic “yes”-es!) at our Participant Finish Area. Then, Grandma Ruby led five generations of women in her family across the finish line as our final walker. The 2018 Seattle 3-Day journey was complete!
We then led a triumphant group of walkers, crew, volunteers and supporters into our Closing Ceremony. The local Puget Sound Affiliate helped us thank Seattle for helping us raise $1 million this weekend in the fight against breast cancer. Then, there was only one thing left to do…dance it out! Thank you, Seattle, for an amazing 3 days!
