Date: 5/22/2025
Last Sunday, the Darien Business Alliance held the 24th Annual Darien Dash starting at the Darien Swim and Recreation Club. This year the event saw 311 registrants, the largest number of participants in that 24-year period. The “Dash” allows participants an opportunity to participate according to their age group, and physical ability by offering a Free “KIddie Fun Run” a 1 Mile Run or Walk and a 5K and 10K run. Runners are recognized in each age group, and awards are presented to the top three male and female runners in each of these age groupings. This year, Mother Nature cooperated and provided weather that was “made for running.”
The beauty of the activity is in the variety of participants, who appear to come from every age group. Upon observation, one could identify those who we might consider “serious” runners as well as those who are simply looking for an opportunity to improve their health and well being through a mile walk or run. While I am not a participant in the event, I have an opportunity each year to meet, greet and get to know a number of these participants, and I always find that their reasons for participating make for interesting stories. Our 2025 event would be no exception due to the participation of a unique individual.
This year as we were getting ready to start the Free Kiddie Run, an older woman approached our registration area and sought information about registering for the event. She indicated that today was her birthday, and she decided to “go for a walk.” Staff assumed that she would be registering for the one-mile walk, when in fact, she wanted to register for the 10K. While most participants were dressed in sporting gear, this woman had on a long, ankle length dress, regular shoes and a purse with a strap over her shoulder. One might normally assume that she was ill prepared for taking on a mile walk let alone a 10K, 6.2mile walk.
She began the race with all the other runners, and during the course of the event, I gave thought to how she might be doing; we have members of the Lions Club riding golf carts through the race circuit paying attention to anyone who might need their assistance, so I knew that if she needed help, someone would be there to assist her. As the dash proceeded we stood at the finish line and welcomed our runners and walkers back, congratulating them as they finished the race. I had the honor of awarding first, second and third place medals to the top finishers in each age group, as our dash came to an end, with the exception of one person, our 10K walker who had yet to finish. As I stood there at the finish line with staff, we saw her come around the corner and headed toward the finish. I held a first-place ribbon and medal, and as she crossed the finish line, we all congratulated her, and I placed her first-place medal over her head and around her neck. She looked at us as we cheered her and said, “why am I getting this medal,” to which I answered, “because you were the first-place finisher in your age group.” My response put a smile on her face, and I believe she felt pride in her accomplishment.
I am sure that all of those who participated and finished the Darien Dash on Sunday, felt a sense of pride in their accomplishment, I want to congratulate all of our runners and walkers who came out and participated in this event. In the future, I will always remember the woman who came into our registration area, asked to register, and said, “today I am 82 years old, and I just thought I would go for a walk.” Not only did she go for a walk, she completed 6.2 miles, and she demonstrated to all of us that we should never discount our ability to take on a new challenge despite our age. I hope she joins us next year for her 83rd birthday, when I just might join her on that 6.2-mile walk.