Saturday’s Eversource Hartford Marathon drew thousands of runners from all 50 states.
Among them was a Madison woman who, by her own account, defied death and beat the odds to be at the starting line.
“Five years ago today I got up for work,” Colleen Alexander recalled.
It was a Saturday, but Alexander was called in unexpectedly for a meeting. She always rode her bike to work at PeaceJam in Guilford, and this day was no different. Halfway through her 12 mile trip back home tragedy struck.
“A truck blew a stop sign and ran over me,” said Alexander.
Alexander spent five-and-a-half weeks in a coma and had 30 reconstructive surgeries. During her recovery the former triathlete picked up a new passion: running.
“I really always hated running, cause running’s just not easy. When I learned that I might never walk again, let alone run, that’s all I wanted to do,” laughed Alexander.
Local
She entered her first marathon with a hand crank bike. Then, she finished several half marathons with the help of a walker. Saturday’s race in Hartford was her first attempt to run the entire half marathon distance. It came on the five-year anniversary of her accident.
“She’s an inspiration to me for her perseverance and strength, for going through everything that she’s been through. She’s just such a light to everybody,” said husband Sean.
Alexander carried the American Red Cross flag during the race, one of 21 charities designated to benefit from this year’s Hartford Marathon. A former CPR instructor, Alexander’s involvement with American Red Cross goes back decades.
“To learn that those same things that I used to teach, the same skill sets are literally what saved my life, you know those hands on my sternum giving me those compressions,” said Alexander.
“That’s what this is about. Spend money in the community, help the community, and then run for a cause much bigger than yourself,” said Hartford Marathon Foundation Director Beth Shluger.
Her journey to the finish line has been long and painful, but Alexander hopes her story helps others find a reason to run, the courage to fight, and the inspiration to give back.
“Life changes in a heartbeat and so moments like these are just ones that we want to embrace and cherish,” she said.
“She fought for her life to be here and I’m so grateful that we’re here to celebrate,” her husband added.
Sean said the pair crossed the finish line in just under three hours.
The Hartford Marathon draws thousands of participants, volunteers and spectators to the Greater Hartford area and brings millions of dollars to the local economy. For more information on the race and other Hartford Marathon Foundation events, visit their website.
