KENT, Conn.—It is widely known that regular physical activity provides numerous benefits for overall health.
Two Kent residents will incorporate exercise into their lives while also supporting others in August when they join a mass of others with a mission—to end breast cancer.
Mary Cox and Darlene Brady, who have been faithfully walking/running together for several years, will participate in Boston’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day event, New England, during which they will walk 60 miles.
They have already raised a combined $2,310 (links to their fundraising pages are below).
“It’s a community of people for three days—well, you can choose one, two, or three days, but we’re doing three—around the country who will walk for the cure,” said Cox Sunday, June 1, at a picnic table outside a Main Street business in town.
“It’ll be a sea of pink,” Cox said of what she and her friend expect of the Aug. 15-17 event. “We’ll be in a pink bubble.”
Walks will also be held in Denver, Colo., Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas, and San Diego, Calif.
In August, the women will head to Boston where they will join other walkers who share a common bond, many of whom have a personal connection to breast cancer in some way or another, either through their own experience or that of a friend or loved one. That is the case for both Brady and Cox.
“Having watched people go through treatment, and some pass away, the reality of what we’re supposed to do is give back,” Brady related. “If you can, we should give back.”
Cox said she expects to carry pink ribbons to honor and/or memorialize individuals during the walk.
Each day Cox and Brady, who is the Kent town clerk, will do 20 miles and stop at night to sleep before starting the next day’s 20-mile journey.
Participants will pass over cobblestones, walk by well-known historical landmarks and neighborhoods including Back Bay Beacon Hill, past other points of interest and through downtown.
“We’ll do our 20 miles, and we’ll have the evenings together to kick back and relax,” Brady said.
Spectators are expected to line the course, entertainment and pit stops will be offered along the way, and supportive services will be readily available.
The women began walking together after Covid both for mental health and physical activity. They set goals to hold themselves accountable and were pleased with their successes. Eventually they decided it was important to “do some good” too.
Twelve years ago, they participated in a fundraiser walk to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Last year, they walked for Kellsie’s Hope, which assists families that have children suffering from cancer by offering support for trips and gifts that might otherwise be unattainable.
“You get really motivated about it and you feel good about it,” Cox said of walking and raising funds for charitable causes.
Cox and Brady were joined by some of their family members for the Kellsie’s Hope event. Other events are on the horizon for the duo, too.
The women will participate in the Hartford Marathon Foundation Riverfront Series, which is comprised of three parts: a 5K June 26, four miles July 24 and five miles Aug. 21.
In September, they will join others in Pennsylvania for the Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon. It includes a 5K one day followed by a half-marathon the next. Funds raised support the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, a volunteer organization that provides the Bird-in-Hand community with fire protection.
In November, Cox will run a half-marathon by herself. And in January 2027, she will run her first marathon while raising funds for children.
“Everything we’re doing now is kind of all leading up to the January 2027 event,” Cox said.
Raising funds for charities can be challenging these days as many nonprofits are faced with tight funds, and individuals and businesses are frequently asked to support a variety of causes.
Cox said she understands that and has a good fundraising plan in place beginning well in advance of an event. She threw in a unique incentive for one of the events–she offered to make a baked good in exchange for—for example—a $25 donation. She said she enjoys baking and many donors appreciated the perk.
Staying active has been beneficial for both Cox and Brady, who said it has been positive for mental health, their support of one another, and their support of others.
“It saved all of us on so many levels,” Cox said of the impact of the regular exercise routine she has with Brady, with whom she is training at this time.
Brady emphasized the importance of seeing a goal through to its end. “If someone gets a little behind, it’s OK. It’s about finishing.”
Being outdoors even 10 minutes a day can make a difference in mental health and overall well-being, Cox related. “It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 minutes or two hours. It’s all good.”
The women enjoy their time together, so much so they joined the Run 169 Towns Society, a group of runners whose mission is to run through as many towns in Connecticut as possible. They have already knocked a few towns off their list.
What’s next for Cox and Brady after Cox does the full marathon in January 2027? That remains to be seen. But Cox’s father, Dan Robb, suggested, “You should climb Mount Kilamanjaro.”
“I like how he confidently put that out there,” Brady said of the idea.
The suggestion has been taken into consideration.
To support Mary Cox’s 3-Day event, visit https://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2025/20253Day?px=8369443&pg=personal&fr_id=2322
To support Darlene Brady’s 3-Day event, visit https://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2025/20253Day?px=8369447&pg=personal&fr_id=2322
