I signed up for my first marathon while sobbing in the back of a rideshare, on my way to the airport to fly to my uncle’s funeral.
Six months prior, my aunt, his wife, had passed away. Both of them died of cancer. As my aunt got sicker, I decided to run the 2017 Philadelphia Half Marathon and raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). When my uncle passed, feeling helpless, I signed up for the 2018 New York City Marathon through ACS to raise money for cancer research. During that marathon training, I joined a Facebook group with other runners who dedicated their miles to ACS. We would update one another on training runs, chat about gear, and keep each other accountable. I found a camaraderie with other runners who understood my loss. I didn’t know how much I’d needed this group of people—all of whom had their life impacted by cancer—until I found them.
Looking to take on a new challenge and raise more money for cancer research, I signed up for the 2023 Dopey Challenge at Disney World, running a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon in four days. This time, in addition to ACS Facebook groups, I joined a few others dedicated to running the Dopey and RunDisney. Through these groups, I met so many fellow runners in various stages of their running careers. All of them had different stories about why they were running, and it was so inspiring to be on that journey together.
And then there was DW. DuWayne “DW” Burge is the kind of person who makes these groups what they are, active in both the RunDisney Facebook groups and the RunDisney community. Runners enjoy dressing up for the races, but DW takes it to another level, wearing the largest skirts humanly possible, and encouraging others to join in on the fun. Their mantra is: “If you can’t run fast, run fabulous.”
During DW’s first Dopey attempt in 2020, the Disney World Marathon was cut short due to heat. But they completed the Dopey in 2023, and as they crossed the finish line, Carissa Galloway, RunDisney’s race host, was there. They shouted to Galloway, “I am a marathoner.”
“No,” Galloway told them. “You are not a marathoner. You are Dopey. That is marathoner, plus, plus, plus.”
“Here was this amazing human, an incredible athlete in her own right, who has seen the best of the best cross the finish line in Boston, Ironman, Rock ’n’ Roll, and Disney, acknowledging that I—the kid who was bullied for being queer, the one who doubted if he even belongs in this arena, the one who pushed through every course—was now a part of an elite group of athletes,” DW recalled. “I no longer had to try, I just was. I was ‘plus, plus, plus.’”
When I asked DW how the RunDisney community impacted their life, they said, “What this community has done to support my mental health and uplift me is a big part of the reason that I am alive today. Not just ‘living,’ but alive.”
I understood what they meant. Like DW, when I started running, it wasn’t easy for me, and I also wasn’t sure I belonged. I only knew one other person who considered themselves a runner. It wasn’t until I joined the digital running community that I felt like I truly found my place.
The running community has given me more than I ever could have imagined when I signed up for that first marathon: a purpose, new goals, and a feeling of belonging. My wish for all new runners is that you find your running community and hold on tight. If that group is a run club, go to the events, even if it makes you nervous. If it’s an online community, be active in it. Follow the people who lift you up and give you something to aspire to.
Running is a solo sport, but you don’t have to be alone.
Aly is the Deputy Editor for Social Media at Hearst's Enthusiast & Wellness Group. She has run 5 marathons, several half marathons and 10Ks, and over a hundred 5Ks. She loves reality competition shows, reading and her dog.
