SPOKANE, WA – Whether you were a runner, a walker, or a stroller, there’s one word every 2024 Bloomsday participant can use to describe their experience: WET.
“I actually like the temperature, I just don’t like rain,” said Monica Abbott, who was wearing some creative rain gear as she lined up for the 12k trek around Spokane.
“This is fashion designed by Randy, my dad, for a rainy Bloomsday run,” Monica said, motioning to the trash bags she and Mike Abbott were wearing Sunday morning.
“They were custom built at our home,” Randy Smith laughed about his homemade trash bag ponchos.
First-time Bloomsday participant Kate Moore said she saw a lot of those trash bag ponchos and admired the creativity of participants preparing to take on not only ‘Doomsday Hill’ but also rainy weather. Kate said she wasn’t expecting the rain but found a poncho at the last minute.
“This was in the back of my mom’s car and I just decided to steal it because I hate running in a big rain jacket and I thought this was a lot better,” Kate said highlighting her yellow poncho.
While we saw a lot of rain gear flood the streets of Downtown Spokane this weekend, we also saw flowers, thanks to one group of participants using the Bloomsday course to raise awareness for a cause close to their hearts.
“We’re walking for Alzheimer’s,” said Jordan Hunter. “We’re with the Alzheimer’s Association and we support those who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia. We provide resources, support, care.”
Jordan said everyone walking with her group carrying flowers has been impacted by Alzheimer’s and that each flower color has a different meaning.
“The purple (flower) is if you’ve love someone to Alzheimer’s, the blue (flower) is if you’re living with it, the orange is if you support the cause, and the yellow is if you’re caring for someone (with Alzheimer’s),” Jordan said.
Jordan said they want to let people know they’re not alone with this disease and they they want to help find a cure.
“Right now there’s currently close to 7 million (people) that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and that’s just people living with the diagnoses and that’s just in America,” Jordan said.
The purple-clad, flower-carrying group also hoped their attire would inspire other Bloomsday participants to take part in their ‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 5th in Riverfront Park.
“It’s no cost to register and join, strictly trying to build a community of support for those impacted,” Jordan said. “It’s only two and a half miles, shorter than Bloomsday, and flat (walk) along the river.”
You can register for that walk at alzwa.org/walk
This year was certainly proof that RAIN or shine, the first Sunday of May, will continue to bring Bloomsday participants to the Spokane streets.
