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Will you take on 26.2 for Parkinson's? PDF is forming a team for the Big Sur International Marathon!

Big Sur International Marathon
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Big Sur, CA to Carmel, CA

One of the world's top destination races, the race takes place along California's Highway One, a national scenic byway. Highlights include a downhill start in the redwood forest, a two-mile ascent up Hurricane Point and crossing the photogenic Bixby Bridge. Passionate about running and the Parkinson's cause? Contact us at info@pdf.org. We'll help you to fundraise and raise awareness locally. Get inspired by meeting one of our Big Sur marathoners, and others from previous races below.

Meet our Marathoners

Art Teacher Runs Big Sur in Memory of Grandmother

Annalise Smith, an art enthusiast and educator of Morgan Hill, CA is an avid runner with several half marathons under her belt. Though she has completed the Big Sur 21-Miler back in 2009, she always wondered, "What would it be like to add those last few miles and run the full course?"

The 26-year old was inspired to take on 26.2 miles for the first time to honor her late grandmother, who lived with Parkinson's disease.

"My grandmother was an amazing woman. I lost her when I was 18 years old and I remember how Parkinson's took over and how her hands had a steady shake to them," says Ms. Smith. "My goal is to get more awareness for Parkinson's disease out there, so it's recognized as a big name issue and seen more than just an 'older person's disease'."

With her family and friends already rallying behind her, she is ready to get creative to reach her fundraising goal of $2000 by the time she races on Sunday, April 28, 2013.

She added, "I'm prepared to do everything and anything from bake sales and car washes to reach my goal for Parkinson's research. Know anyone who needs their dog washed or their house cleaned?"

Visit Annalise's Fundraising Page

Elizabeth Runs First Marathon for Family

Though Elizabeth Claps of Washington DC, is an event planner always on-the-go, she says she’s not a natural at running long distances. After a close family relative was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she wanted to put her feet to the marathon test to fund a cure and make “life more fulfilling for people who are suffering from Parkinson’s.” She completed the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2012. She created imaginative donation guidelines – such as $10 for a song to make her running playlist or $200 for her to wear the donor’s name on race day – to get friends excited to support her cause.

“Running a marathon is nothing compared to the limitations people with Parkinson’s have to go through. If they can do it, I can do it. I hope to keep funding studies that will improve treatments and ultimately find a way to cure Parkinson’s,” she says.

Student Runs to Honor Her Father

Jessie Gunter, a student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, has always enjoyed running. The 22-year-old took on 26.2 miles for the first time in October 2012 to help fund research for a cure and raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease. The cause is close to her heart. Her father was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease at the age of 42. Only an estimated four percent of people living with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before the age of 50.

Ms. Gunter remarks on what the challenge means to her, “Hard work and commitment are two qualities I most admire in my dad. Training for a marathon helped me to reflect on those values he helped instill in me. I did this to honor my dad and bring hope to my family and other people who are touched by Parkinson’s. I want to raise awareness and contribute to the research effort so that others may not have to live with this disease in the future.

Nurse Runs for Brother and Patients

S Jane Schrick, R.N., of Sunnyvale, CA, is touched by Parkinson’s in her home and work life. Her brother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago. As a cardiology nurse, Ms. Schrick treats people living with Parkinson who also suffer with heart conditions on a regular basis. The avid runner, who is no stranger to marathons, was inspired to run with PDF at the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon in tribute to her brother and patients.

Ms. Schrick remarks, “I wanted to make my runs more meaningful and find some way to give people with Parkinson’s, like my brother and my patients, hope.”

Former Marine Inspired by Stepfather

Sean Wright of Marietta, GA, has never shied away from a challenge. The Firefighting Academy graduate and former Marine Sergeant is currently serving in the Navy reserves. His stepfather Gary Chard, once an avid runner, has been active in the Parkinson’s cause since being diagnosed with the disease four years ago. (In fact, Mr. Chard is one of PDF’s Research Advocates). Mr. Wright says he was inspired to run his first full marathon in October 2012 by his stepfather’s determination and advocacy efforts.

“To have a family member suffering with this disease makes me more than willing to step up for this challenge. With a disease that doesn’t have a cure, obviously raising funds for research is important. By running this marathon, I’m contributing to the research effort so that one day hopefully there will be a cure,” he says.