The Widow Dash being held Sunday morning on July 13th is more than a race in Coronado. It is a tribute to the strides widows have made in reshaping their identity and moving forward with their lives.
“It’s a celebration that you can run for yourself,” said Michele Neff Hernandez. She is the executive director and founder of Soaring Spirits Loss International, a support community for people who have lost a spouse or partner.
The dash began six years ago and in conjunction with Camp Widow, an annual weekend retreat that gives widows the tools and resources needed to restore their lives.
It also serves as away to educate the general public about the organization.
“So many people know someone who is widowed, a neighbor or a friend,” said Hernandez. They maybe recently widowed themselves and not know there is a place for them to turn.
Money raised by the dash goes to support the foundation’s programs, including Camp Widow, Widowed Village and Widowed Pen Pal.
The Village is an online community that offers discussion forums and an opportunity to connect other widows with shared circumstances who live nearby. The Pen Pal program provides one-on-one support. Each widow can chose from three contacts who are within ten years of the same age, six months of loss and who have the same parenting status.
Hernandez founded Soaring Spirits in May of 2008, drawing inspiration from her own struggles with widowhood after her husband was killed in a bicycling accident. “I was 35 years old and had three kids at home,” she said. After going through the painful process of recreating her own life, she wanted to help others and do something that would give meaning to his death.
While all loss is tragic and painful, losing a spouse or partner especially difficult.
“It is the person you share your life with, the person you plan to build your future with,” she said. “With their death that future goes away and the hard work of recreating your future begins.”
Thus far the organization has helped over 1.5 million people world wide, Hernandez said. Some 1,500 participate in the various Camp Widows held around the country.
Camp Widow is being held at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina from July 11 to July 13. You can register as late as Friday.
“There were so many races going on that weekend that we couldn’t find a venue. Someone suggested Tidelands Park,” Hernandez said. Once smitten with the beauty of the park, Soaring Spirits decided to come back and keep coming back. “We fell in love with the site. It’s beautiful place for a race.”
The 5K starts at 7am on July 13 at Tidelands Park, 2000 Mullinex, adjacent to the Coronado Marriott Hotel.
All participants receive a goody bag and post-race refreshments. There are prizes for the top three winners in all divisions. Soaring Spirits also promises a few surprises along the route. All are welcome to join the widows in the celebration by running, walking or just strolling around the bay front.
Learn more or register here: http://www.soaringspirits.org/events/widow-dash/san-diego-dash/
