<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3HoiNM_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3HoiNM_0vlvYb3n00" width="1320" height="743" >LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The 50th Annual Virginia 10 Miler is kicking off on Saturday, September 28th in Lynchburg.It's a staple in the Hill City where thousands join together for the big run.For Cathy Ewing, it's been a part of her life since the first year, as she's volunteered at the event every single year.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2IrHKI_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2IrHKI_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >She's helped cheer runners on, set up, check folks in--you name it, she's done it.Except actually RUN in the race.This year, she decided to change that just a month shy of her 70th birthday.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=17NZ7b_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=17NZ7b_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >She is part of a group, Running with Coach K, which set the challenge to run forty-nine 10-Milers by race day so that the 50th annual 10-Miler is also their 50th time running it.That in itself is incredible, but the kicker is that Ewing started training for the race less than three months ago, while the rest of the group began in January.She had a quick response to young folks who don't think they could do it as well.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2PC8e3_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2PC8e3_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" ><blockquote>70 sounds old, but I don't feel old," Ewing said with a smile and a laugh. "And I think it will help you feel young too when you can get out there and do these things. And if you continue at a younger age to do it, then you're gonna feel just as good as me when you're older."</blockquote>Ewing said even if you don't want to run in the race, you should still come out and cheer the runners on because it makes all the difference.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3eK5rN_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3eK5rN_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >The group has remained strong by doing that for each other; supporting one another through all their adversities.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0gtbcP_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0gtbcP_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >They've faced a lot of challenges since beginning the goal of 49 runs on the 10-miler course.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3or62m_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3or62m_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >Their group leader, Susan Coalson, explained the challenge.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1bUVgB_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1bUVgB_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" ><blockquote>If we ran it 49 times, prior to race day, then on race day, we're running it for the 50th time on the 50th anniversary," Coalson explained. "It's 500 miles."</blockquote>Over 40 people in the group took on the challenge.For Tony Smith, it was par for the course.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3YmUvV_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3YmUvV_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >"I've included it in my training throughout the year for two marathons," Smith explained.He took a 30-year hiatus from running before restarting in 2014.<blockquote>Myself and others ran the course some days twice, which would be 20 miles," Smith said. "So we incorporated that into our training schedules."</blockquote>While his journey was simple, that wasn't the case for others like Lindsay Beebe.In the group, she's known as, "The Bulldozer."That's because, during her training, this happened.<blockquote>I was not even a quarter mile in, and I got hit by a deer," Beebe said with a chuckle. "A full-grown female deer. And it hurt me pretty bad. I was pretty badly concussed."</blockquote>The deer died from the hit and knocked Beebe out of training for over a month.Believe it or not, it got even crazier after that.<blockquote>My first run back after that injury, Susan [Coalson] got her foot caught on the sidewalk and fell and broke her shoulder," Beebe said.</blockquote>Right when one person returned, another went down."That took me out of commission on the course for about two months," Coalson explained. "But I'm back to running and I made my 49th run two weeks ago."Q) So you didn't even end up missing any of it at all? You did 49 of them and you're still on pace to get to the 50th by the 50th?"<blockquote>Absolutely," Coalson responded immediately. "Absolutely. We're no quitters, Jacob."</blockquote>Coalson and Beebe were among the 16 members of the group who were able to complete the challenge.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2eY2sg_0vlvYb3n00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2eY2sg_0vlvYb3n00" width="648" height="365" >They did so with a ceremonial bell ringing for each person who did.Q) Was there ever a doubt that you were going to be able to do it?"Not a single doubt in my mind," Beebe responded."<blockquote>Never a doubt," Coalson said. "Never a doubt."</blockquote>The group explained that the total miles ran by the whole group of 40+ people would be enough to run across the whole country if it was a relay race, which only proved their commitment to the goal that much more.They all agree the biggest goal on Saturday is to finish the race for the 50th time, with a smile, and to do so without any more injuries.</div></body>

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Running group finishes 49th run of Virginia 10-Miler course to celebrate 50th anniversary

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The 50th Annual Virginia 10 Miler is kicking off on Saturday, September 28th in Lynchburg. It's a staple in the Hill City where thousands join together for the big run. For Cathy Ewing, it's been a part of her life since the first year, as...