On July 11th, for the tenth year in a row, Fort Myers Beach resident Maura MacNeil ran what she calls the 7-11 “Mill for Bill” Fort Myers Beach Half Marathon. It’s a 13.1 mile run she created in memory of her dad who died in 2014 from Melanoma.
Maura tells Beach Talk Radio her dad was always supportive of her participation in various running events over the years. Since his passing, she’s commemorated his birthday each July 11th by completing the run.
Before Hurricane Ian there were five 7-11’s on the island, all of them were severely damaged in the storm. Now only the south end location is open with plans to rebuild 3 others. One former location is now a parking lot next to the new Town Hall building.
Maura started her run 5:30AM at the former 7-11 across from the old Junkanoo and finished in just over 2 hours making sure to stop for a photo at all the 7-11 property locations. Maura’s husband Jim followed along on his bike.
Maura told us she was as close to her Dad as you can get when there are 10 kids in the family and he worked 2 jobs. “We got much closer when I moved to FMB and my Dad and Mom would come and stay for 4 to 6 weeks to escape the Massachusetts winters. My Dad was a teacher, track coach and fundraiser. He ran the Boston Marathon when he was 16. I didn’t start running until I was 47 and living in Florida. I did a Leukemia and Lymphoma triathlon to raise money in honor of my first Mom who died of Leukemia when I was 15. I sucked at the swim and bike but did well on the run. So I started focusing more on running. I chose a 13.1 / 1/2 marathon distance as I live on a 7 mile island and by running to all five 7-11’s on the island I could fit that distance in easily. I donate every year after the run and ask other people to donate, primarily my family.”
Learn more about Melanoma HERE
E-mail congratulations to Maura directly at machilliard@hotmail.com
