Vermont Route 100 is famous as a scenic drive or bike route that winds past waterfalls and mountain ranges through quaint towns. Emily Levan and her husband Brad Johnson are now experiencing it on foot.
The couple from Northfield, in central Vermont, tackle the formidable feat of raising money for a good cause this week – and training at the same time.
“It was a great way to see our beautiful state and meet the wonderful people who live in our state,” Levan said.
It’s about 320 miles from North Adams, Massachusetts to Troy, Vermont, which is on the Canadian border, Levan said.
“After COVID was locked up and a lot, it seemed like an interesting opportunity to get out and see the state,” Johnson told NECN.
It’s not just about sightseeing.
Brad has type 1 diabetes and wanted to thank the team at the Gifford Health Care Diabetes Clinic in Randolph for years of individual support, he said.
“We want to give back to the people who are doing great things in our community,” Levan said.
People with type 1 diabetes are now given a higher priority for the coronavirus vaccine, but Governor Charlie Baker has yet to say whether Massachusetts will follow suit.
The grueling hike is raising money for the clinic, which on Tuesday said it has counted thousands of dollars so far, with more to come.
“It’s amazing – absolutely amazing what they do,” said Jennifer Stratton, a diabetic at Gifford Health Care’s Kingwood Health Center.
Stratton said the center will use funds from the Levan and Johnson project to help needy patients buy diabetes supplies, which are often expensive. For example, the money can go to a child who needs a protective cover for an insulin pump.
Katie John, a family nurse specializing in diabetes in Gifford, said she saw the couple’s ultra-long distance journey as further evidence that people with diabetes can live truly rich and adventurous lives.
“I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I should start training for something,'” John said, remembering how a visit to Emily and Brad on their route inspired them.
Emily and Brad said they planned to run around Vermont in less than a week, which meant they would have to run more than 30 miles a day.
However, a knee injury at Brad slowed them down. They switched to a walking pace, added travel time, and allowed their dog Finn to join a leg that left Waitsfield on Tuesday and headed north.
“It’s a little bit like diabetes in a way,” said Johnson, describing how he didn’t want to cut the trip off even after suffering the setback from his injury. “You have to play the hand that is dealt to you. There are a lot of people struggling with problems that are much bigger and tougher than what we have here, so it seemed like we didn’t want to let us down and let everyone who went along – so decided we keep it up. “
Johnson predicted that feeling of accomplishment in helping others should numb his pain at mile 220.
“We’ll still get to the finish line,” Levan said as she and Johnson returned to their run after taking a break for a drink of water and an interview.
