The Race: Fort Myers

Sunday, 1 March                                                            0.0 SM (for Steadfast)

It’s 0722. The distinctive clanging of a cowbell breaks the silence of another-wise quiet Sunday morning. Some of us are having another cup ‘o Joe or heading out to an early service at church or maybe sleeping it off from Saturday night. But there’s some woman in ball cap, black tights and tee disturbing the silence with the jarring noise of a cowbell. As if that’s not enough, she yells, “Way to go! Lookin’ good,” as the somewhat more reserved gentleman by her side simply applauds.

These outbursts are offered in encouragement to entrants in the Fort Myers Hooters Half-Marathon. Its course comes right down Edwards Avenue, along the full length of Fort Myers Yacht Basin. As with any such event, participants represent the full range of the community, i.e., runners, joggers, young, old, athletic and those less so.   Regardless, each deserves applause for “running” his or her 13.1-miles as best as can be done this humid, sun-drenched Sunday morn.

Now, at noon, clouds moving in, a different race begins. It’s a 24-hour relay and the uniform of the day is full gear. This is the Josh Hargis Ranger Ruck. (Check it out at http://www.firstgiving.com/team/286972 )

A squad of SWAT Team members crosses back over the Edison Bridge as part of a fund-raiser for Lead The Way.

Members of SWAT Teams of Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lee County run in shifts for 24-hours, noon today to noon Monday. Unlike the shorts and singlets of the Hooter’s entrants this morning, these guys run in fatigues and boots, with helmets, vests, weapons and packs, crossing the Edison Bridge to North Fort Myers and returning, up and down, two-miles round trip. Then, do it again. And again.

Keep in mind at their start time, it is a sticky 86 degrees, not exactly ideal weather for running at all, never mind in full gear. No cowbells, no crowds to cheer them on, but an esprit de corps, a sense of purpose that transcend discomfort or fatigue.

Running the race, as best can be done.

Steadfast out.