By Donna Cornelius
Before the 2009 Mercedes Marathon, a friend asked Sally Williams to run for a cause.
“I ran as a BellRunner for a child with Down syndrome,” said Williams, who lives in Birmingham near Crestline.
BellRunners raise money for the marathon’s official charity, The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. The Birmingham-based nonprofit organization offers therapies to infants and toddlers who are at risk for delay or who have diagnoses like Down syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy or premature birth.
Like the other Bell Center volunteer runners, Williams hit the course in a bright red shirt with a picture of her sponsored child on the back.
“I wore my red shirt, but I had no idea why I was doing it,” she said. “Four years later, I was running for my own child.
“Then I saw the impact.”
Williams’ son, Walker, has Down syndrome. The 2 ½-year-old boy receives services from The Bell Center.
“This is my third year to run as a BellRunner for him,” Williams said. “When I see others running for The Bell Center, I want to ask, ‘Do you understand what you’re doing?’ Now, I see.”
BellRunners agree to raise $100 per mile in honor of a specific child at The Bell Center.
“Fundraising can intimidate people, but it’s not as hard as you think,” Williams said.
Runners get contributions of all sizes, from $25 donations from individuals to larger corporate gifts, she said.
“Some runners do fundraisers, like bake sales in carpool lines,” Williams said. “My friend’s older children raised money with a bake sale for their class.”
Volunteers can run or walk the Mercedes 5K and half marathon, run the 26.2-mile marathon or create a five-person relay team.
To help them prepare for the event, BellRunners can participate in the Couch-to-5K training program offered by Resolute Running in Homewood.
“If you’ve never run before, this gives you access to trainers and gives you a program to follow,” Williams said.
This year’s Mercedes Marathon is Feb. 20-22. During the race weekend, BellRunners are treated to perks such as waived entry fees to the marathon, access to a heated tent on the race’s starting line in downtown Birmingham’s Linn Park, VIP access at the post-race party, a 15 percent discount throughout the year at The Trak Shak, and socials.
The tent offers another bonus for runners.
“It has porta-potties,” Williams said, laughing.
During the race, spectators greet the runners in red shirts with extra attention, she said..
“The BellRunners get more claps than anybody,” Williams said.
Support for The BellRunner program is crucial to The Bell Center, she said.
“The Bell Center’s operating budget needs this,” Williams said. “Money from tuition covers only about 10 percent of the costs. This is our major fundraiser.”
Williams said running is a hobby for her.
“A lot of people run in the Mercedes because of personal goals – to run their first half marathon or to run in a certain time,” she said. “You can combine that by doing something that means so much to these children.”
While most runners look forward to finishing the race, Williams said she’ll feel a special satisfaction when she completes the half marathon this year.
“Three other moms and I whose children are in their last year at the Bell Center will cross the finish line together,” she said.
For more information about supporting the BellRunner program, visit www.thebellcenter.org or contact Kelly Peoples at [email protected] or 879-3417.
