Tired and listing to one side, Danny Graham found the energy to raise his arms and trot across the finish line Sunday at Twin Lakes Park in north Denver.
The homeless residents in the Denver Rescue Mission’s New Life Program training for the Colorado Colfax Marathon are looking for small accomplishments on their way to the May 20 marathon.
Sunday’s run was a victory for some of them.
After three homeless years that included restless nights of sleep under a sculpture at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the 24-year-old Highlands Ranch man ran the entire course. Graham achieved a personal best but, more important, it was a step toward rebuilding his life.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever run 10 miles in my life,” an excited Graham said, searching for a mobile phone to call his mother with news of his achievement. “This is a definite milestone in my life.”
Nine members of the rescue mission group entered the first in a three-race series building up to the marathon. All of them crossed the finish line amid cheers from supporters and fellow runners.
There are 18 men who began training for the marathon last month, but Sunday’s participation was cut down by runners who had other obligations or were nursing minor, training-related pains, said program resident and group leader Nick Sterner Sr.
“Some of these guys came here thinking they’d only be able to do 5 miles but did all 10,” said Sterner, a six-time marathon runner. “Everyone fed off each other’s enthusiasm and support. It was a great day.”
Tom Konstanty, a chaplain who counsels men in the group, added that getting the feeling of a race atmosphere will be important in building the men’s confidence.
“These men don’t have a whole lot of experience with success,” Konstanty said. “But they really went all out today for themselves and for each other.”
Twenty-year-old John Bledsoe, the youngest man in the group, took on the training with high expectations. But in recent weeks, his training has been slowed by back pain. On Sunday, he started fast but ended slower than he hoped with a time of an hour and 33 minutes.
“This shows me that I need to work harder,” said the tall and lanky Bledsoe, who battled cocaine addiction and alcoholism in his small hometown in Oklahoma before joining the New Life Program. “Still, this marathon will be doable.”
Shannon Chandler, who was hampered by last year’s marathon from buying drugs along Colfax Avenue, pulled up the rear of the race group. Slated to compete in the Colfax half-marathon, Chandler accomplished his goal of finishing the 10-mile prep course in less than 2 hours and 30 minutes.
“I feel high as a kite, right now,” Chandler said. “Probably the wrong words to use … but that’s how I feel. I’ve never done 10 miles before.”
Staff writer Manny Gonzales can be reached at 303-954-1537 or mgonzales@denverpost.com.
