Running the New York marathon in memory of loved ones

Myself and three 1E vice presidents; Eric Beller, Paul Szemerenyi and Ambareesh Kulkarni ran the New York half marathon last weekend, raising almost $22,000 for the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
Our over 40s team were perhaps not natural long-distance runners, but were unerring in their support of the cause. These days, it seems hard to find a life that hasn't in some ways been touched by cancer and that was sadly true of our team members and the real raison d'être behind our committing to the run.
We joined 22,000 other runners on a route that took us round Central Park, through Times Square, down the Westside Highway, past Ground Zero and then back up to the Southsea Port to the finish line. We had great support throughout from the crowds and the other runners and it was a wonderful occasion that we were all very proud to be a part of.
I crossed the finish line in 5139th place but personal satisfaction aside, one of the best bits about the run was that 1E generously matched all of the donations from our friends, colleagues and family, beating our fundraising target by 100% and making us the highest fundraising team for the charity.