A Tale of Three Racers:
Jon, Brad, and Cameryn show how the Dad’s Day Dash is for everyone!
JONATHON: The Avid Runner
Bloomsday was a gateway to running for Jonathon when he moved to Spokane from Florida in 2015. The next year, he ran his first Bloomsday and was lured into the racing scene. He does a variety of races each year: He recently completed the Winderemere Marathon, and has participated in the ValleyFest Pink Ribbon Run, the Hauser Lake 10k, and the St. Patty’s Five Mile. This year, he’s excited to return to participate in the Dad’s Day Dash.
“One of my favorite places to run is Manito Park,” says Jonathon. “So it’s nice to have a full race in one of my favorite spots!”
Jonathon first learned about the Dad’s Day Dash through one of the running sites he follows. He saw the race took place at Manito Park, which was a huge draw for him. The allure of the Dash didn’t end there, however.
“My family is scattered across the country,” says Jonathon. “The Dash has a sense of family atmosphere, so it’s always cute and sweet. It’s also a great cause, so it feels good to know I’m giving back at the same time.”
BRAD: The Family Racer
Brad, who has worked at SNAP for over 17 years, first signed up for the Dad’s Day Dash four years ago. His original inspiration in registering was to enjoy camaraderie with fellow SNAP staff while getting his family together to do something on Father’s Day.
This has since turned into a family tradition. This year, Brad is joined by his son and daughter-in-law, their two kids, his daughter and her husband, their five kids, and even one of his grandson’s girlfriends. Brad’s grandkids span the ages between 2-years-old and 18-years-old, and whether they’re being pushed in a stroller or jogging alongside it, the whole family will gather at Manito Park this Father’s Day.
One of the big perks about the Dash for Brad is that the terrain is comfortable for him to walk along and push the little ones in their strollers. This allows everyone in his family to participate, regardless of fitness level.
His youngest three grandkids, Cooper, Chevelle, and Hadley (all ranging between two and three-years-old) have enjoyed the Dash their entire lives!
“Three of my grandkids were born into this wonderful tradition,” says Brad. “And we’re excited to keep it going in person this year!”
CAMERYN: The Memorial Racer
This is Cameryn’s first year participating in the Dad’s Day Dash. Despite working at SNAP for six years, Cameryn was hesitant to register for the Dash. She’s had knee issues most of her adult life, although she was a runner and basketball player throughout her childhood. She recently had an injection in her knee that has drastically increased her mobility so that she’s able to walk 3-5 miles a day, go hiking with her dog Sadie, or run errands on her electric bike.
The real catalyst for Cameryn registering for this year’s race, however, was to honor her birthfather’s memory.
“I haven’t celebrated Father’s Day since my adopted father died when I was in high school,” says Cameryn.
Earlier this year, however, Cameryn discovered her birthfather’s side of the family, which inspired her to want to honor his memory.
This January, Cameryn discovered that her birthfather, Frank, was a Korean War veteran. Although he died quite young, passing away at only 39-years-old, Cameryn has been able to connect with her extended family of siblings from her father’s side. To her, the timing is right for her to race in memoriam of the father whose story she only recently learned.
“The fact that I connected to doing something in memorial for my father, the fact I’ve become more health conscious this past year during COVID, and that the Dash benefits SNAP,” Cameryn says. “It’s all an opportunity to bring these different branches together at the right time.”