Nearly 100 runners participated in the Vermont City Marathon on Sunday, May 24, 2015 in support of Steps to Wellness, a medically-based oncology rehabilitation program for cancer patients at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Co-led by Class of 2018 medical students Kelley Collier, Patrick Cruden, Lindsey Eastman and Eric Schmidt, the 2015 UVM College of Medicine Running Team has raised $23,726 for the program to date.

The team included nine full marathon runners, 16 two-person relay teams, two three-person relay teams and ten five-person relay teams – one of which was made up of Steps to Wellness patients and staff. Ovarian cancer survivor and UVM Medical Center human resources staffer Mary Seaman ran her first full marathon in 4:44:27 (read a blog about her story here). Eastman, who ran the full marathon, was interviewed by a local CBS affiliate reporter at the race expo and featured in a pre-marathon news story.

Among the running team activities that took place leading up to this past Sunday’s marathon were a panel presentation by Steps to Wellness patients, a walk with Steps to Wellness patients on the Whale's Tails path near the rehab facility on Tilley Drive in South Burlington, in addition to weekly training runs. On Friday, May 22, the team recognized "Marathon Spirit Friday" by wearing team running shirts, fun running costumes, or UVM College of Medicine attire. Later that evening, the group gathered for a pasta dinner at the College. Following Sunday's race, team members attended a post-race celebration and picnic at the Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington's Intervale.