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| Me, Bernie, and Bryan |
Mile 1: Donna Koffler, Cy Clark, and Lou Majetic. These folks will always get me across the starting line and through the first mile. When I started this campaign of 26 miles and 26 dedications, you were each there, albeit with individual miles. But as I kept running these stupid things, I wanted to keep your memories alive and well, and have been honored to do so. Thank you all for always getting me through that first mile.
Mile 2: Joan Kerlin. Joan is the mother of our friend Amy and had just recently passed. I'd like to dedicate this mile to Joan. RIP.
Mile 3: Michael "Kip" Sudak III. Michael is the father of Matt, who is one of our friends from North Park Trail Runners. Despite what we like to tell Matt, Kip, he doesn't suck. We just don't like it when he makes us run up super long hills, especially 8 of them or so. He's a pretty solid dude. RIP Michael.
Mile 4: Freda H Myers. Freda was the grandmother of Sam who I served in the Navy with. I'm truly sorry for your loss, shipmate. May your gram RIP.
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| Lisa Coll |
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| Jennifer Meckley |
Mile 7: S Wayne Hull. Wayne was the father of my friends Mar and Allison (no relation.) He lived just a few blocks away from me and I has been different not seeing his light on when I walk by with the dog at night. I'm truly sorry for the loss of your dad, you two. This mile is for him. RIP Mr. Hull
Mile 8: Stan Savran. Stan....loved the show. I missed him with Charlie all season long after Steeler games. RIP Stan. Pittsburgh loves and misses you.
Mile 9: Karen Mentzer and Elizabeth "Betty" Oister. Karen is the mother and Elizabeth the mother in law of one of our Moon Class of '91 classmates, Mindy. When I did my second Pittsburgh Marathon, I dedicated this mile to Mindy's daughter Sari. Sari, as an adult you are kicking arse and I know your mom knows that. I thought you would love to share this mile with your grandmothers. May they both RIP, Mindy. I'm truly sorry for you and your family's losses.
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| Karen Mentzer |
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| Betty Oister |
Mile 11: Lois Jean Navrotski and Nellie Bova. They are the aunts of our friends Adam and Brandi Sieracki, and Jill Sieracki. May they both RIP.
Mile 12: Carol Cutler. Carol was the aunt of one of my former supervisor at BCD Travel, Bob Kolar. Carol was a Master Chef, wrote multiple cookbooks, and was a decorated James Beard award winner. Bob is a hell of a cook and learned everything from his Aunt Carol. May she RIP.
Mile 13: Cindy Fronk and Jenna Macioce. I met Jenna when she was a bartender at the Hangar almost 12 years ago when I was DJing a reunion for Moon's Class of '92. Jenna was just a kid (well old enough to bartend but still a kid to me) and asked for "I'm Free" by Kenny Loggins of all songs. What youngin' knew of this song? Why someone with excellent taste in music! Jenna I know you have your own story to tell, and it's not my place to tell it, but I wanted to dedicate a mile to your mom, and include you with her. I hope you don't mind. May she RIP.
Mile 14: Dr. Robert F. Michael, Jr. Robert was the cousin of my friend Noelle and a teacher at Moon Area High School. I know a lot of my friends from back in school who have children that go to Moon, and everyone has been deeply affected by his sudden loss. RIP Dr. Michael.
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| Dr. Robert F. Michael |
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| Marcello Daris |
Mile 16: Marcello Daris. Mr. Daris was the grandfather of Michelle Cribben, wife of Chuck. Chuck and Michelle are family to Bernie, and I'd like to dedicate this mile to Marcello's memory. RIP Mr. Daris.
Mile 17: John T. Schaefer. John is the father of our friend Gerrard and father in law to Kara. He had recently passed. I'd like to dedicate this mile to Mr. Schaefer. RIP
Mile 18: Jack and Marlene Laforte. Jack and Marlene are the parents of another runner I've had the pleasure of running with over the years, Jennifer Cicchini. I'm truly sorry for her families loss. May they both RIP.
Mile 19: Kelly McArdle Conley. A cousin of one of my best friend's Bryan. This mile is in her memory. RIP Kelly.
Mile 20: Joseph Patrick Garvin. Joseph was the grandfather of one of Zosia's volleyball teammates, Sarah, and father of Kelly Loney. I'm truly sorry for the loss of your father Kelly, and Sarah's grandfather. I know you're having a tough time right now, and I'd like to dedicate this mile to him. I hope it brings some comfort to you and your family. And while he's along for the run at mile 20, he can meet me and....
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| Joseph Patrick Garvin |
Mile 21: Ethan Loney. Ethan was Kelly's son and Sarah's little brother. I really enjoy the stories you've told me about Ethan Kelly and had I gotten together with Edyta sooner and in Crafton sooner, it would have been really cool to meet him. I thought mile 21 was the perfect spot for your dad and son to hang out together on the course with me.
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| Ethan and his Pap. |
fMile 22: Boomer. Boomer was our friend Lara Huffman's pooch. We all know how hard it is to lose a pet, and this year, I wanted to dedicate a mile to Boomer.
Mile 23: Edyta, my Polish Princess. Believe it or not, she'll be back at it this year alongside the rest of us after her shoulder surgery. These last two weeks I know have been hard for you, and you were getting really restless. But, you are on your way to recovery, and are still looking like you can kick my ass. So, why mile 23? Well, little did I know that's where you were right behind my old ass last year, and right at the mile 24 marker you were barking in my ear to move my ass. That's not happening this year. Sure you got your shoulder fixed, but that's no excuse. To ensure this does not happen, I've strategically placed some leg sweeping snipers along this mile if they see you behind me....just saying. Ah, who am I kidding. She's bionic now, and I'm almost certain she's gonna catch my ass....again.
PS: I love you!
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| My Polish Princess |
Mile 24: John R. Good. John was the uncle of our friends Carie and Jason Young. This mile was dedicated to their mom when she passed, and I'd like to dedicate the same mile to their uncle. RIP Mr. Good.
Mile 25: Steve Smith. Steve was the father of one of my best friends, Bonnie, and husband of Mary. Fun fact, Steve was the only man that could convince me to sing Never Gonna Give You Up at karaoke one night, years ago. I knew I couldn't sing it (and trust me, it did not sound good) but he loved it. I'll make sure to put this on the play list while I'm running this mile, just for you Steve. And since this is the same mile I was able to dedicate to our friend Phil a few years back, he'll be looking for you to do a shot. May you RIP, Steve. (Or as I'd like to call him, Sam Elliott.)
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| Steve Smith |
Lastly, I want to also include a special dedication for a former co-worker of mine: Kathleen O'Connor. When I was on the Comcast team in Operations, Kathleen was one of our O.G. agents. After a year or two of being an agent, she transitioned into a back up role for me as a Meetings and Air Coordinator when I was on vacation. Over time, when the workload became too much for one person to handle, she was my partner in crime. As I moved into a supervisory role she took the reigns in full, and made that role her very own. She excelled at the position. When the Covid pandemic hit and the majority of us were furloughed she was able to stay on board for Comcast to assist with anything that may be needed. I was able to rejoin her after two months of furlough, and it was just she and I for the longest time. When things finally picked back up travel wise she had permanently moved on to our Meetings and Incentives department. She still handled all things group related for Comcast, and like a boss as she always did. Kathleen had unexpectedly passed away last June, and it hit us all pretty hard. She was exactly what you would have expected of a Southern woman: sweet as pie and could tell you stories for days! Not only do the folks at Comcast that she had forged such a great relationship with over the years miss her dearly, but all of us that knew her at BCD Travel do as well. She was such an important part of our family. As much as I wanted to dedicate a mile to her this year, I felt that a mile was not enough and she deserved a bigger shout out. RIP Kathleen. We'll never forget you.
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| Kathleen O'Connor |
So with that, as I always like to say, keep running Pittsburgh. I'll see you at the finish line.
Sinceriously,
