They raised more than $26,000 for breast cancer research and multiplied in numbers by almost 50 per cent.
Suffice to say, Team Devi had a successful Vancouver Marathon, with more than 150 team members pulling for Devi Ralla, of Richmond, a veteran marathoner who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2014 and can no longer run in the big race.
Ralla, however, has no shortage of people running in her name, evidenced by the swell in participants last week, up from 108 in 2015.
There were also a few unexpected additions in the event’s 8K walk, according to Ralla.
“Several people, around six I think, actually came down on the day after reading about Team Devi in the newspaper,” said the 55-year-old former marathon training leader and Hugh Boyd secondary education assistant.
“They didn’t have a Team Devi t-shirt, so they just turned up in purple t-shirts. They thought they should come down and support the team and do the walk.”
Ralla, herself, did the walk, much slower than last year as she’s “not in the shape” that she was.
“Just before the finish line, my dad, who was ahead of me, stopped and waited for me and held my hand. My husband also held my hand as we crossed the line, so that was nice.”
Ralla said her son, Braeden — who has run the last two Vancouver Marathons in his mom’s name — blew away his personal best time.
“He told me before the race that he would do three and a half hours and, to be honest, I thought that was pushing it. But he did it and I was so proud,” she said.
“Other people have spoken to me since reading the newspaper, saying they didn’t know all of this was going on. They have now marked the date in their calendar for next year and are going to join up.”
Last month, Ralla told the News how, after 15 years, she had to give up her love of marathon running in 2014 due to cancer.
Scores of family and friends now take her place in the event under the auspices of Team Devi.
