Strong Army

It was a return to the Lowell General Hospital Cancer Team Walk for Annie's Army once again, one of our favorite local fund-raisers, because it helps combat such an insidious disease, and especially because we do it on behalf of Jack's sister Annie, who's usually there every year, but was still on the mend and couldn't make it to this year's outing.

She'll be back leading the forced march next year, no doubt!

The Army, Assembled

Andrew, Carlos and I headed out early for a six-mile trek along the extended course, coming over the birdcage on the Rourke Bridge.

Coming inbound, on the newly opened Richard P. Howe bridge, heading back to the starting line

Where the rest of the Army was waiting for our group photo

At the 5K start, mom and daughter are all smiles.  The smiles stayed there pretty much the whole morning

Giving cancer the Boott (Mill)

You can tell these power walkers have been training.

The rest of the team stayed on track, too

Heather and Josh were clearly the pacesetters this year.  Slow down, you two!

Can't say enough about the LGH organization behind the annual outing, and no credit can be dispensed without recognizing the efforts of the volunteers who line the course and generally make as much noise as they can to boost the walkers' and runners' energy levels

Behind the Lowell Spinners Lelacheur park, everyone's getting ready for the home stretch

But not before we stop in our annual photo op spot beneath the Ouellette Bridge, with the Mighty Merrimack behind us

We were finished, and hopefully, so is cancer!

Hanging with my bud.  (You know who you are.....)

A Lowell Spinners employee reunion

And finally, the rest of the Army with the Canaligator, with Andrew doing his best beefcake pose.

Once again, it was an honor for us to participate.  This is one of our favorite outings of the year, and Lowell General always puts forth a top notch event to brings all its cancer-fighting teams together for a special time with friends and families.

Annie, we expect you out there in front of your Army next May to help us Kick Cancer's Butt!