In 2002, I met 11-year old Michael, who was stricken with childhood leukemia. Our meeting wasn’t by chance. I had joined Team in Training, a race-fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to raise money for the organization’s cause, run in the San Diego Rock-n-Roll Marathon, my first marathon, and was Michael’s sponsor.
During my nine months of training, I participated in a host of 5k and 10k races, as well as the Brooklyn Half-Marathon. I was amazed by the bond and camaraderie between runners, and their dedication from across the country and the world. This was truly a community.
That same year, during a business meeting in Havana, a serious and well-respected gentleman briefly walked into my meeting and he was introduced as Carlos Gattorno, the Race Director of the Marabana Havana Marathon. No sooner did I hear the words, Havana Marathon, the proverbial light bulb went off, and my new idea consumed the remainder of my meeting. After 40 years of travel restrictions to Cuba, imposed by the U.S. Embargo, I was not surprised to learn that virtually no Americans had ever run in the Havana Marathon since its inception in 1987. I explained to Carlos that my company, insightCuba, had special permission from the U.S. Department of Treasury to legally bring Americans to Cuba, and that together, we could open-up the race to any American runner! I think he was in disbelief. This was his dream and he was long since resigned that this would not happen in his lifetime. Quickly, we both imagined thousands of American and Cuban athletes running side by side, for the first time, ever. So, we immediately started planning. Little did we know, however, that this simple idea would turn into an eight-year struggle, and delay his dream, just a little bit more.
Weeks after our meeting, President Bush announced broad changes to travel regulations, eliminating most legal forms of travel, including going to Cuba to run in a race. Over the next few years, we continued to seek permission from the U.S. government to allow for Americans to participate in the race, to no avail. Then, one day everything changed.
On January 21, 2011, President Obama announced that he was restoring many types of legal travel to Cuba. In addition to preparing for an immediate spike in U.S. travel to Cuba, I contacted Carlos, and said, let’s get this done.
The race became big news in the U.S. and runners from across the country wanted a chance to run in the race and visit Cuba for the first time, ever.
As plane loads of Americans started arriving at the Meliá Hotel in Havana, for the race, it was clear that this year’s race was going to be special. Carlos, myself and other race officials, held a press conference and invited many of the American runners. They were the news of the day across the island. Then we gathered the American runners in the hotel ballroom to officially welcome them. Carlos made a surprise appearance and spoke to the large group of Americans. Struggling to get the words out behind tears of joy, and in the Cuban spirit, Carlos shared with everyone how a dream came true, how he founded the Marabana Havana Marathon, and that every American should make themselves at home and enjoy the race and the island.
The next few days we’re celebratory. After the traditional pre-race day 1k Maracuba walk/run race, all the race participants and Cubans from all around the city, head for the streets and this short course through Old Havana. Residents waved both American and Cuban flags from the stoops in front of their homes, and children spilled out into the streets joining the runners as they streamed by. They were greeted at the finish line with a parade of Cuban music. Only in Cuba can they dance like that, so early in the morning. The actual marathon, the next day, was a huge success as all the Americans completed the race. That evening we had a giant dinner together with many of the Cuban runners and everyone shared their stories of struggle and triumph during the race. It was beautiful to behold. But, the vision of Carlos standing quietly, taking in the moment, while American and Cuban runners mingled with hugs and laughter, will stay with me forever. Dreams really do come true.
Oh, regarding the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fundraiser- I raised over $20,000 for Michael. Unfortunately, for me, I was unable to run in the San Diego Rock-n-Roll Marathon due to dual stress fractures in my shins, due to “overly enthusiastic training”. All in all, I still felt we brought home the win!
