Every single person who crosses the finish line at the Annual Quad Cities Marathon has a story and a reason for running.
On Sunday, the team “Hitting the Wahl” was the first relay group to finish the race.
“All four of those guys got us out front right away,” said Chris O’Brien, the last leg of the relay. “Fast and hard and that’s what we needed”
“It’s just, it’s a great feeling it really is,” said relay member Dan Blumhoff. “We got a great group of guys here and nothing brings you closer than running your butts off.”
It was something special to be the winner of the race, but what was more important was the name they were sporting on their shirts when they finished.
“Carley, was my sister,” said O’Brien. “She was going to be a senior this year. She died in a car accident last month on the fifteenth, and I’ve just been lost since”
Carley Ann Harrielle was killed in a car accident in August. She was going to be a senior at Milledgville High School. Although the team had been planning on running the marathon already, now the motives changed.
“They surprised Chris and made the t-shirts and made the emblem in memory of Carley and they said they’re running for Carley today,” said Carley’s mother Dawn Harrielle.
“This team here assembled today for a reason and that reason was to bring joy to a very difficult and sad situation for people we love,” said relay member Anthony Welty. “We were just glad we were able to come out and do what we set out to do.”
By sporting Carley’s name and number on their shirts as they crossed the finish line, they were able to carry her with them and keep her legacy alive.
“And really all we want to do is keep her alive,” said Harrielle. “Keep her memory alive in everything that we do. And that’s what these guys did for us, they brought her here to the Quad Cities with them and ran their hearts out.”
“We miss her so much,” said an emotional O’Brien. “She was going to have a great senior year. She’s not here anymore, but she’s here with us today, I know she is.”
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