In honor of National Cat Day today, we're posting this archival story from 2021 about two marathoners and the kitties that motivated them. We hope it's the purrfect way to honor the day.
Pawing through Ben Garvin’s More Than a Marathon photo gallery at the TCM office recently, we noticed the image (left) of Brooke Vierling and Cameron Wing who had personalized their race bibs with “Run4Millie” and “Run4Vash."
Who was Millie, we wondered? Who was Vash? And, why were Brooke and Cameron running for them?
As we staffers worked through our usual post-event chores – cleaning equipment, sorting supplies, discounting merch -- the Millie and Vash question kept rubbing up against us. Curiosity got the best of us, so we reached out for the answer.
“They are our two cats!” Brooke responded. “They both enjoy running too and have a cat wheel that they often would run on next to us while we would train on a treadmill or bike indoors.”
Deciding to decorate their bibs with the feline phraseology was a spur of the moment thing, Brooke told us, but one with special meaning for the engaged St. Paul couple.
“It was my first marathon and my fiancé Cameron suggested it as a way to stay positive during the race,” Brooke explained. “And whenever we went on training runs, towards the last mile Cameron would always say, ‘Are you excited …’ and I’d finish by saying ‘…to see the cats!’”
The pair -- Brooke and Cameron, that is -- ran 4:07 on race day, clasping hands as they crossed the finish line together.
We think their Millie and Vash story is the cat's meow.
This article originally appeared in the TCM's weekly e-newsletter, The Connection, in 2021. Subscribe to the Connection here.