King George News
Cathy Dyson writes about King George County.
Hawaiian runner with ties to area will do Boston Marathon to honor KG residents
Michele Tritt, right, is a frequent runner who will complete the Boston Marathon in honor of two King George residents. She’s joined at a recent half-marathon by Jeaney Garcia who holds a malasada, a donut that’s the normal post-race food in Hawaii.
Here’s one of those examples of what a small world this is and how connections among places such as King George, Hawaii and Boston are commonplace.
Michele Tritt grew up in the Fredericksburg area and is an avid runner. She’s currently living in Oahu and will run the Boston Marathon next month to honor two King George residents and their battle against terminal illnesses.
Tritt, 42, lived in King George County for 10 years, until last July when she and her husband, Ben, moved to Hawaii where he works as a civilian doing naval research.
While in King George, she got to know two people, Wesley Berry and the late Diane Hunt. She admired the way they faced cancer and leukemia.
Wesley, who just turned 18, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 12. Throughout his treatments, he’s headed a “Win 4 Wesley” team to raise money for research.
Tritt knew Diane Hunt when Tritt coached Hunt’s three sons—David, Matthew and Stephen—in a running club. Hunt was 49 when she died of acute myeloid leukemia in November 2011. “Diane’s fight was short and unexpected,” Tritt said.
Tritt will run her fourth marathon for them, and she hopes to raise $5,000, or $2,500 for each charity.
Wesley’s chosen charity is the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, which provides housing and respite services to critically ill children and their families. Click here for more information about donating.
For Hunt, Tritt is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her fundraising page is here.
A complete story about Michele Tritt’s efforts will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Free Lance–Star.
