Daughter will run for her source of inspiration

By John Streit

Correspondent

Cheryl Maddern's longtime best friend walked into Maddern's newly opened Starbucks in Newport News, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a heavy heart.

Maddern's friend had received her diagnosis just hours before: lymphoma. But she didn't want to ruin the day, so she waited a couple hours more before breaking the news.

"She's such a great person," said Lara Maddern-Saavedra, Maddern's daughter. "She's got three kids of her own and they grew up with me and my brother. She's always been there for us when we've needed her."

While Maddern-Saavedra, 25, said she wishes to keep her mother's friend of more than 30 years anonymous "out of respect" for her condition, the Landstown Lakes resident is planning a tribute that demonstrates just how much respect she has for the woman.

Inspired by Maddern's friend's battle against lymphoma, Maddern-Saavedra is dedicating her participation in the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon to the woman who also served as the mistress of ceremonies at her wedding.

The race begins at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and ends at 13th Street on Sunday.

Not much of a runner, especially since all but abandoning the pastime in high school, Maddern-Saavedra said she never imagined she could run 13.1 miles in one session. And while she has no aspirations to be as fast as possible on the course, she wants training for and finishing the race to symbolize her mother's friend's courage and perseverance.

"I think of her and her struggles and the fact that she's never given up, and that's all that pushes me," Maddern-Saavedra said. Erin Gaul, event manager for the half marathon, said that learning about people running for causes makes the hustle and bustle of organizing the massive undertaking feel worthwhile.

"It really brings a human affect to it, because we're always dealing with numbers," Gaul said. "It goes beyond budgets and it goes beyond just getting your job done and makes it feel like you're really helping people."

A manager of a Starbucks as well, Maddern-Saavedra has also formed a team of runners from her Columbus Village coffee house.

But Maddern-Saavedra's Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon dedication has an interesting catch: her mother's friend isn't aware of Maddern-Saavedra's efforts.

Yet.

"My husband's going to be there with a camera taking a picture," Maddern-Saavedra said. "We're going to give her the picture and a card saying that we did this for her."

John Streit, 639-4805, vb.beaconsports@yahoo.com