Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 10k Race Report

Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k Finisher Medal

The Green Girl participated in the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 10k yesterday.

The race benefited the National Marfan Foundation. 75% of the race registration fees will be donated to the organization.

The event was in memory of Laura Coughlan Siqueiros , the wife of fellow Sole Runner mentor, John Siqueiros, and in honor of a young man, Ethan Johns.

Laura had planned this race to share Ethan's Marfan syndrome story but unfortunately, she passed away from Marfan syndrome complications earlier this year.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue that can affect the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels.

Ethan Johns at the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k

People with Marfan syndrome are at risk of aortic enlargement. Without proper treatment, the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart) could enlarge and could tear or rupture. Aortic ruptures are usually fatal.

Possible Symptoms of Marfan Syndrome

Heart and Blood Vessels (Cardiovascular system)

• Enlarged or bulging aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart (aortic dilation or aneurysm)
• Separation of the layers of the aorta that can cause it to tear (aortic dissection)
• “Floppy” mitral valve (mitral valve prolapse – MVP)

Bones and Joints (Skeletal system)

• Long arms and legs
• Tall and thin body type
• Curvature of the spine (scoliosis or kyphosis)
• Chest sinks in (pectus excavatum) or sticks out/pigeon breast (pectus carinatum)
• Long, thin fingers
• Flexible joints
• Flat feet
• Teeth that are too crowded
• Eyes (Ocular system)
• Severe nearsightedness (myopia)
• Dislocated lens of the eye
• Detached retina
• Early glaucoma
• Early cataracts

Other Body Systems

• Stretch marks on the skin, not explained by pregnancy or weight gain
• Sudden collapse of the lung (spontaneous pneumothorax)
• Swelling of the sac around the spinal column (dural ectasia). This is found with CT or MRI scans of the back

Sole Runners Hiroko, Krishna, John, and Isabelle at the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k

Laura was passionate about raising awareness of the symptoms of Marfan syndrome so undiagnosed cases might be identified and lives could be saved.

The morning started off chilly but as the race time approached, it really warmed up.

The scenic race course was along the Long Beach Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath.

Volunteer Karla at the Fitness 4 All Trick-or-Treat 5k/10k Halloween aide station

A number of runners were dressed in Halloween costumes to celebrate the holiday spirit.

The aide stations were Halloween themed complete with trick-or-treat baskets filled with treats.

It made my day when I was able to snack on a Reese's at Mile 1.

Laura and John Siqueiros at the 2010 Seal Beach 'Will Run 4 Cupcakes' 10k by Betty

It was a beautiful day to do what we all love in memory of Laura and in honor of Ethan.

Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. Unknown