More than 200 runners and race-walkers came out in support of the second annual Ann Whalen 5K Fun Run to benefit the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), at Arlington High School in LaGrange on Sunday, April 27, to help support cancer research and treatment.
Since her sophomore year of college, Arlington graduate Ann battled adrenocortical cancer, one of the rarest forms of cancer, before losing the fight on Dec. 22, 2007. She had just turned 22 years old that month, and was scheduled to graduate this May from New York University.
Ann was able to participate and finish in last year’s race.
This year’s race garnered sponsorship from 30 local businesses, and expected to meet or exceed money raised from last year’s collective race earnings of $17,000.
One of the race organizers, Colleen Napora, a faculty member at Arlington High School, said TGen, located in Arizona, has been in communication with the family and community, providing efforts and resources.
Mike Slinskey, 38, of Wappingers Falls, was the overall first-place finisher with a time of 16:20.20. Marisa Hanson, 44, of Pleasant Valley, placed first among women, and sixth overall, with a time of 18.07.80. Conni Grace, 45, of Poughquag who ran the Boston Marathon a week prior to completing the 5K race, finished seventh overall, with a time of 18:44.61.
Ann’s father, Daniel Whalen, said he could recall his most vivid memory with Ann: when the two of them, and Ann’s mother, Maria, traveled to New York City in early December, to celebrate their time together before the holidays.
“I loved to spoil her,” said Daniel, who added that she was a friend to everyone, including him.
The family stayed at the Saint Regis Hotel in the city, providing Ann with the royal treatment.
“She had a suite, and butler service,” said Daniel.
He shared his thoughts about life spent with his only child, Ann, and the value of that relationship between a child and parent.
“The nucleus of life comes down to children,” he said
Wife Maria thanked everyone in attendance before the race began.
“We all know Ann is here with us,” Maria said.
Ann’s spirit was felt by locals, family members and friends, who traveled from all over to celebrate her life.
An individual with strength and determination is what friend Genevieve Malisza, from Omaha, Neb., remembers about Ann.
“Last year she (Ann) ran the whole 5K,” said Malisza, a student and friend from the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass., where Ann first attended college before transferring to NYU.
She was the “nicest person,” who was an “overall peaceful, live-in-the-moment,” type of individual, recalled Meghan Shea of Poughkeepsie.
“We’re here to support Ann and her family, for a good cause,” said friend Ariana DeAngelis from Rhode Island.
“We could always count on her (Ann); she was always ahead of the class,” said Arlington track coach Steve Arnett.
The race, in Arnett’s heart and mind, isn’t about winning or losing, but about the strength to carry on despite obstacles in one’s life, he said.
“It’s not about making the Olympics. She taught us all a lesson,” he said.
Friends and colleagues from Holy Cross and NYU have used that lesson to raise money and awareness about Ann and her story, and her father said that scholarship money has been raised for students who couldn’t otherwise afford college.
“This is a heartwarming day and event,” said Arlington High School principal Tom Brooks, who recalled Ann’s activism, from drama to track and the National Honor Society, among other areas.
“I’d watch her do race-walking, and she said to me, ‘It’s easy,’ “ said Brooks. “A lot was easy for her.”
“She accomplished a lifetime in a short period of time,” said her father.