Submitted by Andrea B:
I ran my 1st Space Coast Marahon in 2012. It was an absolutly amazing race. It was the first full marathon that I had ever completed.
In 2013, my friend Cliff was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Cliff and I worked together. He became like a 2nd father to me. When I ran Space Coast 26.2 in 2013, Cliff had started Chemo, radiation and had had surgery to remove the mass on his lung. He was really struggling.
Cliff was an amazing person. He was a therapist that treated people battling addictions. People loved Cliff. His kindness for people, his strong spirituality and his love of life were things people loved about him .Also, Cliff loved N.A.S.A. and the Space Program. He talked about watching shuttle launches.
Cliff absolutely loved my Space Coast Marathon Finishers Medal from 2012. It only made sense that I would run for him in 2013, when he was fighting the cancer.
Cliff showed “marathon” strength every day during his battle.
When I gave him my 2013, finishers medal he displayed it. He loved it! He even wrote about Space Coast 26.2 in our company news letter.
I have completed the Space Coast 26.2 or the Space Coast 13.1 for Cliff every year since 2013. When Cliff passed from cancer on 12/19/2014, I began giving my finishers medals to his wife, family and friends. I knew it was a gift I could give to the people that Cliff loved.
Cliff’s favorite color was blue. Every year, I get custom embroidered blue running gear, that shows everyone that I am running for Cliff. Space Coast always falls on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Cliff loved the holidays, and celebrating with his friends and family. He was very spiritual and always showed gratitude. Especially, during the holiday season. He loved Christmas music and watching Thanksgiving football.
Ever since Cliff passed in 2014, I spend the entire Space Coast weekend celebrating Cliff and all of the good he did in his life. It was an honor to have been his friend.🙏💛🏅😿👟
