DENVER (KDVR) — It's one of Denver's biggest running weekends of the year, drawing thousands of people from all over the country to the Mile High City with a common goal.
This year, the five runners each had a common goal. This race was another milestone in my recovery, each one getting back on their feet.
“You know, it helps you mentally and spiritually and helps you achieve big goals,” Joel Beaumont said.
Beaumont is in the recovery and rehabilitation program at the Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center and is scheduled to graduate from the program in July.
“I had an addiction problem. So I had to focus on that and work on becoming a better version of myself,” Beaumont said.
He and three other participants in the program train three to four times a week starting at 5:30 a.m. in preparation for the big day.
“It felt really good. We've been training for a while,” said Danny Lucero, another program participant.
The program, called “Back on My Feet Denver,” works with local organizations like the Salvation Army and Denver Rescue Mission to ignite a new passion in people who have fallen on hard times or are experiencing homelessness. Masu.
“The path I chose was not easy,” Lucero said. “But I never thought I'd be here. If you had asked me a year ago, 'Are you going to run a marathon?' I would have laughed.”
Back on My Feet works one-on-one with participants, taking them out for a run every other week, but also helping them find jobs, cars, and a place to live.
“I love that part of it too, because you get to know someone one-on-one and help them progress,” said Erica Borenstein, a Back on My Feet volunteer. “And hopefully see them graduate and get an apartment and a job. That's what it's all about.”
Running also has the added bonus of showing participants what they can accomplish.
“We're very careful to count every mile they run. That creates accountability. But every mile they run, every time they reach a milestone, they're very careful to count every mile they run. There’s also celebration,” Borenstein said.
On Sunday, their hard work came to fruition as they participated in a relay race with those who were with them on the journey.
“This brings us all closer together,” Beaumont said. “We cheer each other on, we encourage each other, and sometimes injuries hit us, and sometimes the players didn't want to do it, but we encourage each other. But the glory of God is with us all. It certainly helps me overcome difficulties.”
For some participants, the Colfax Marathon is just the beginning.
“The whole environment here, the whole atmosphere is amazing. I want to experience it again,” Lucero said.