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Marie Murray's toughest moments became even more reason to push herself, overcoming the pain of chemotherapy to train for marathons in Salt Lake City and around the country.
Murray, diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2004, joined the Huntsman Hometown Heroes and raised in excess of $20,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute through various races and events after beating the disease. A decade later, the cancer returned, her husband Dan running the 2015 Salt Lake City Marathon in her place when she was too ill to participate.
"She just felt bad," Murray's husband Dan said. "She felt like something was missing so I went ahead and did it in her place."
Murray lost her fight with cancer in January. In her honor, the "Miles for Marie" award was created, and will be presented for the first time Saturday at the 2016 marathon on Saturday.
Steve Bingham-Hawk, director of the marathon, said when Murray appeared at the start line last year — even in her deteriorating state of health — she had an "incredible energy."
"We thought 'there's got to be some way that we can honor what she brought to us last year — that energy," Bingham-Hawk said.
The award recognizes an individual embodying community commitment, selflessness, positivity and the fight against cancer.
"This is much cooler than a headstone in a cemetery," Dan Murray said.
Bingham-Hawk said the marathon route is the same for the third straight year after constant start and finish line changes in the past. The route begins on Wasatch Dr. at the University of Utah, ending at Library Square downtown with street closures throughout the city.
"It helps our runners anticipate and plan their training a little bit better and it helps the community that is impacted, our residents and businesses better prepare for their day and how they're going to work around us."
Dan Murray won't participate this year in the wake of Marie's death, but said the award will keep her spirit of giving — and her belief in the healing power of running — alive.
"It just shows that she mattered. She mattered to me. She mattered to my children," Dan Murray said. "But her impact is felt so strongly and so much outside of the immediate family."
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith —
Salt Lake City Marathon
Saturday
Starting line: 7 a.m. at Olympic Legacy Bridge
Finish line: 1:30 p.m. closing at Library Square