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Along the Skeena River, where 30 teams and nearly 300 runners showed their true grit in a 142 km relay, a former Rupert Runner was remembered for her own courage.
Darlene Savorelli was told she would never run. As a child she was left nearly paralyzed by the polio virus and had to relearn how to walk.
But she took the diagnosis as a challenge, and over time began to walk, hike, swim and in 1988 she opened “Bodyshapers Aerobics” in Prince Rupert.
The next step was learning how to run.
When she was 49-years-old she ran the Edmonton Festival marathon for herself and then ran the Honolulu Marathon on the Joints In Motion team for a seven-year-old Terrace girl who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as an infant. She started one of the first learn to run clinics in the city, she ran several half marathons, the Vancouver Sun Run, the Crest Glory Days and she was on the Dashing Divas Skeena River Relay Team.
But the effects of polio stayed with Darlene.
“Halfway through her running career she started having issues with her legs, stiffness,” her daughter Melina said. Her mother never completely stopped running. On March 28, at 66-years, her mother passed away unexpectedly.
“It was one of her wishes in her will at the very bottom that she wanted some of her ashes spread along the Skeena and with the way that she did fitness and loved to run, and she has done the Skeena River Relay a few times, I thought what better way to do it,” Melina said.
Darlene’s determination and defiance at all odds was remembered by members of the Rupert Runners this past Saturday during the 16th annual Skeena River Relay.
Sandy Jones, who used to hang out with Darlene and the Learn to Run crew, carried a small sachet of her ashes along her leg of the race.
“It’s very meaningful, I felt that it would be such a privilege because I really respected her a lot and her willingness to bring her fitness message to people in such a kind way. It just felt like such an honour to participate in that,” Jones said.
After she ran with Darlene one last time, she finished her stage at Telegraph Creek and stood on a rock along the Skeena River and scattered her ashes into the wind.
In the evening, before the results of the race were announced, Crystal Sawatsky, vice president of Rupert Runners, read an emotional tribute to Darlene.
“It just goes to show you can do anything when you put your mind to it,” she said in conclusion.
Family and friends are celebrating her life July 16, 1 p.m. at the Moose Hall.
Darlene has one more race with her sister Carolyn Gray, who will scatter some of her ashes at the next Vancouver Sun Run.
For 2017 Skeena River Relay unofficial results click here.
