A team of eight runners from Cleveland University-Kansas City battled rainy conditions for a good cause on April 12, as they joined hundreds of participants taking part in the 15th Annual Brew to Brew Run. The popular 43-mile relay race began at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City and concluded at Free State Brewery in Lawrence, Kan. Proceeds from the event went to benefit Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening genetic disease that affects predominantly the lungs and digestive system.
The Cleveland team, called the The Brewtrotters, has taken part in the race since 2012, with Dr. Paul Barlett, dean of pre-clinical education, serving as captain each year. In addition to Barlett, this year’s team was comprised of John McGlaughlin, professor; Dr. Corey Sullivan, associate professor; Sarah Shelnutt, undergraduate coordinator; David Foose, Director of Academic Records and Support; Dale Marrant, Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development and Marjorie Bradshaw, assistant to the president; and Jordan Davis, daughter of Dr. Jill Davis, chair of basic sciences.
While The Brewtrotters didn’t win the race, they finished in 7:53:25, offering a strong showing, which is a testament to the team’s persistence in difficult weather conditions. Ultimately, the real winners will be those suffering with CF, as proceeds from the run will be used to fund research that will hopefully eradicate this health menace.
The relay was split into ten legs ranging from 2.8 miles to 5.8 miles each, with team members dividing the segments among themselves. Barlett, ran the first two legs of the relay in the midst of a torrential downpour, but he kept his sense of humor.
“Besides the weather, running in a thunderstorm across a bridge with a metal fence and getting lost on the trail once, the team had a great time,” Barlett said.
Marrant enjoyed the run as it required the group to work together to achieve success.
“The great thing about the Brew to Brew is that, as a relay race, it provides a great opportunity for team building among participants,” Marrant said. “You drop off your first runner, then the team loads in the van and races to the next point to greet that team member at their finish line, and then send off your next runner. It is one of my absolute favorite races to be a part of because of the team focus.”
Shelnutt also relished the teamwork and support that is present in this event.
“I was impressed by how encouraging my teammates were and how encouraging the other runners on the course were,” Shelnutt said. “After my team cheered me on at the beginning of my leg, almost every runner I encountered on the course shouted words of encouragement which kept me going and feeling great! Being a part of The Brewtrotters for the second year in a row was a great experience and I hope I can run with them again!”
All students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University are welcome to participate. Contact Dr. Barlett via email at paul.barlett@cleveland.edu to participate in this event next year.
According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States and approximately 70,000 worldwide are afflicted CF. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that obstructs the lungs and causing life-threatening lung infections. CF also disrupts the function of the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients. While much progress has been made in research and the treatment of CF, more work is still needed to find a cure.
