By Judy Reed

For Lori Ostrom and her mother, Beverly Hale, the annual Red Flannel 5K walk/run as become a tradition that means something special. It means that Beverly is still here to walk it.

The two began walking in the race 5 years ago. It was then that they got the idea to make it an annual event. “We met a man and his son who told us they had made it a tradition. It didn’t look like the father would be around much longer,” explained Lori. “They were such gentlemen. During the race we would pass each other, and as we neared the finish line, they lingered behind and let us win.”

Since then the women have done it every year. But two years ago this Christmas, they weren’t sure there would ever be another race together. “She almost died of pancreatitis,” Lori said of Beverly, now 65. “We thought she wasn’t going to make it.”

But Beverly fought back. And last year she won in the senior category. “We laugh because we always come in last,” remarked Lorie. “We do what we can, when we can. The idea is just to cross the finish line.”

Beverly has been out walking every day with her husband to prepare for the walk. “She’s been encouraging me,” explained Lorie. “She’s trying to stay healthy.”

Lorie encourages everyone to try it. “Just go do it—even if you think you can’t,” she said.