Walk Chair Corner - August 2025
By Eleanor Mariani
Registration for this year’s Walk for a Cure on October 4th is officially open – and the energy is already incredible! As of August 24, we have 215 walkers signed up, with 56 first-timers (26%!) joining our community of hope and determination. If you’re new or just thinking about taking that first step – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Join Registration Team Lead Jean Logan and Lisa Carroll on Friday night, October 3, in Old Saybrook to get your t-shirts and welcome packets.
From sunrise to finish line, our walk is designed for everyone:
- Full Marathon (26.2 miles) kicks off in Old Saybrook at 7 AM
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles) begins in East Lyme at 10 AM
- Quarter Marathon (6.5 miles) starts in Niantic at 1 PM
- 5K (3.1 miles) run by Team Leads Gabrielle Tudisca and Erin Gizio wraps up the day at Camp Harkness at 2:30 PM
Traffic Team Lead Patti Burmahl will be ensuring the safety along the route, and you’ll be guided the entire way by signs placed by Team Lead Stacey Gualtieri.
Along the route, you’ll find nine rest stops, each a mini-celebration, with hydration, snacks, and plenty of encouragement. Thanks to Team Leads Amy Caster, Whitney Logan, and Kim Coderino, plus Steve and Max Logan (who make sure the sites are ready), you’ll stay fueled and inspired as you take in some of the most scenic routes in our area.
And wait until you meet the amazing groups cheering you on at the rest stops: the Old Lyme Girl Scouts, Ledyard Rotary Club, Old Lyme VNA, Barnum Financial Group, Niantic Rotary Club, ReMax on the Bay, Sound Community Services, and the Sava Insurance Sole Sisters – each one ready to lift your spirits and keep you going strong. Nursing support, led by Faith Daley, is also on hand for first-aid needs.
The excitement doesn’t stop there! :
- The East Lyme High School cheerleaders (10 years strong!) keeping energy high
- Waterford HS girls soccer and East Lyme HS girls lacrosse lining the path, cheering every step
- Cyclists led by Stephen Sheehan covering the course for safety
- A support vehicle (thanks, Chip & Sherrie Becker) ready for anyone who needs a lift
At Camp Harkness, the finish line becomes a festival! Opening and Closing Team Lead Richard Dakin and Entertainment Lead Valerie Tamano will be there with live entertainment (Azalea Drive), games, delicious complimentary food, and fun for everyone. Team Lead Susan Raffetto will have a stretch tent set up to help the walkers wind down. The Closing Ceremony – a special 20th Anniversary Celebration at 3:45 PM – is not to be missed. The finish line festivities are open to the public, so bring your friends and family to cheer on the walkers!
Need a little training before the big day? Team Leads Anne Rochette and Rayna Dakin have got you:
- September 7: 18-mile training walk in Old Saybrook (6- and 8-mile loops available)
- September 20: 20-mile training walk in Mystic (also looped for flexibility)
Whether you’re a returning walker, a first-timer, or one of our invaluable volunteers, there’s a place for YOU in this movement. Speaking of volunteers – our volunteer Team Leads need your help to make this an awesome day for our walkers.
Sign up today and be part of something unforgettable on October 4th. Let’s walk, cheer, and celebrate together as we take bold steps toward a cure.