In 1997 12 runners headed for the start line of the first ever Pasadena Pacers Marathon. Just 8 months earlier they could not have imagined they would be able to run even 5 miles. They came because I convinced them that it could be done. I told them that if they could just come and run only 1 minute at a pace that is slower than they have ever gone in theirlife, then we would get them through it. I told them that doing a marathon wasn't the hard part. The hard part is getting the sheets off of your face and getting your shoes on. The hard part is being unreasonable. It isn't reasonable to run in the rain, the cold, the hottest day of the year or on your birthday. I told them that if they would be just a little unreasonable then they would get at the same time come extraordinary.

And so it was that in 1997 12 Pacers got up early, went out into the cold and headed for the start line. The gun went off and they began their run for the finish line. It was to have been a victory lap at the conclusion of a 600 mile training program. It would only take a few hours and it would all be over - the finish. They didn't know about the thousands of people who come to cheer for them, the little children who would line up by rows with little hands outstretched for a high 5.

They couldn't have known then how much a friend or family member on the course would lift their spirits. I was there near the finish to give one last spiritual boost, which would carry them to victory. They couldn't have seen it coming, that they would be overwhelmed by emotion crossing the finish line. They all cried at the end. I couldn't have known the impact on me, the effect of winning 12 marathons all at once - those were my wins too!

It was clear skies and mild weather that day. There was no reason for the rainbow to appear. We saw it just after Robin said these words: "We did something really great today. One day there will be a hundred of us at the starting line."

We set out to raise the health of a community. We discovered along the way that we have the ability to raise the spirits of mankind.

We later found out that 3 people in the club quit taking anti depressants, one person quit their diabetes medicine and one person lost 67 pounds.

We're amazed that thousands of people will come down early, in the cold,the rain and when they are tired, just to cheer for fellow beings whom they do not know. They want to know - does their help have an effect? Does it make a difference? It does! They love to see their fellow man take a win.

When they cheer for you, it feels personal and it helps. It restores the spirit of man knowing that the true purpose of a being is to help.

Help is an action. It is the action of love. If ever you want to test the sanity of a being or a group, just look at their ability to help.One must be observant though. There are those who claim they came in the name of help - but are instead destructive.

Our out going president has indeed passed the test. The Pacers are in great spirits, her statistics are high. She has a team with all wins and no losses. In 1997 we set a goal. Just a week ago we had our hundred runners at the start line!

E.E. Cummings once said "The greatest contribution you can make to your fellow man is to allow others to make a contribution. I want to thank you for allowing me to make a contribution. To the 115 of you who ran Pasadena, thank you for making our dream come true.

It is the goal of the Pacers to raise the health index of the community and to elevate the spirits of man. Cheer for each other, runners and coaches. Cheer for each other, president and members.

If you want to be surrounded by winners, then help your fellow man win.If you want to know how to love, then help. Do so in the face of adversity, when the invitation to do otherwise is great.Your next president is charged with this responsibility. She needs your help. The challenge she faces is huge. She'll do well though - she has you!Would you please release your past president and welcome your new president with some overwhelming admiration!

Warmest Regards,

Dr.Steve Smith, D.C.