UC Davis Health represented at CIM by marathon-running participants
By Nick Houser
(SACRAMENTO)
In addition to the more than 100 volunteers who represented UC Davis Health at the California International Marathon (CIM), multiple team members ran the marathon Dec. 3.
Gloria Petruzzeli, a psychologist, ran in and finished the marathon. She said knowing UC Davis Health was the medical support for the course reassured her that she would get any help needed to finish.
Here’s her personal account:
“There is no denying that there are big things going on in our world. Each day, we humans wake up and do the best we can to make it through all of life’s internal and external challenges. So, why run a marathon to add to that?”
If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.—Kathrine Switzer, marathon runner and author
“I love this quote by Katherine Switzer because it embodies what I believe every marathoner hopes to prove to themselves and the world when they finish a marathon, that we can persevere, and we can have faith in our ability to persevere through the long arduous challenges in life.
Gloria Petruzzelli poses after finishing the CIM.
“I ran and finished the California International Marathon (CIM) one week ago, along with 10,125 other racers.
“The CIM is a very special race to the City of Sacramento. People from all over the world come to race it, and some come to qualify for Boston or for Olympic trials. But most of us mortals do it to be a part of something bigger - to 'believe in better' for ourselves, our community, and the world, and that is what I felt on Sunday.
“As a UC Davis Health employee, I felt proud that we were the sponsoring medical team. I felt reassured and confident that I would get the medical help, if needed, to get me to the finish line. My marathon finish, like many others, was an effort of hope and inspiration to all those that are a part of the journey.
“The marathon is a perfect metaphor to remind us of our human resilience. That we belong to something bigger than ourselves, that our actions and what we do matters to others, and that we are never alone in life as we race to the finish.”
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Congratulations to all of our UC Davis Health family who ran the California International Marathon, and thank you again to the volunteers who provided medical support for the runners.
