Kalamazoo Gazette: Marathon runner plans to honor father, friend

When Rachel Hoffman lines up for the start of Kalamazoo Marathon on Sunday she will be running in memory of her father who died hours after she crossed the finish line at the Kalamazoo half marathon last year, reports the Kalamazoo Gazette. She's also running for her friend Breeana Dixit who introduced Hoffman to running, helped her recover her spirits after her father's death and who was killed when she was hit by a car as she attempted to cross West Michigan Avenue.

 

Excerpt: She will keep Dixit and her father on her mind, "the two people who have so very much influenced me with my running, my self-esteem, everything," Hoffman said. "It's going to be a big weight to carry on my shoulders. But at the same time, these are two people who taught me to never back down from a challenge." Hoffman said she will run to honor them because they can't be here to run and she can.

 

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