Jeff Zamora knows a thing or two about inspiration.
And he doesn’t have to look very far to get it.
That’s because he carries it around with him every day.
Wears it actually!
On his arm.
In his heart.
In early 2008, his son, who captured the heart of the Santa Barbara community, died after a courageous battle with cancer.
Little Jeffrey Zamora was only 2 years old.
Jeff Zamora carries the memory of his son on his sleeve. Jeffrey Zamora died of cancer in 2008 at the age of 2.
So today, Dad Jeff, with his son’s face forever tatted in his left bicep, has a little extra ‘mojo’ to win at the 19th Annual Cancer Center Walk/Run that has something for everyone: 10k run, 5k run or walk and kid’s fun run.
That’s 826 runners and walkers for those scoring at home – all here on a magnificent Montecito morning to raise critical clinical research funding for the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara (CCSB), a local non-profit cancer treatment center.
Zamora, 43, usually runs the 10k but on Sunday he decided to shake it up a little and do the 5k – his winning time was 22:00. (In fact, he seems to be always on the run – later in the afternoon he was off to help his employer, Cox, at the Goleta Lemon Festival.)
The first female 5k finisher was young Mirra Tubiolo, 14, about three minutes later at 24:56.
Also behind Zamora — literally and figuratively — are 33 friends and family members comprising the “Jogging for Jeffrey Team” – the boy’s face adorns the front of their tee shirts with the inspiration: “Always in our hearts.”
“This event is very special to me and our family,” Jeff says.
In the 10k, Newbury Park’s Chris Clarke, 37, won at 40:10.
The top female 10K finisher was Santa Barbara’s Christine Bjelland, 25, a server for the delicious host sponsor, at 42:50.
More than 40 teams participated, including “Julie’s Team” – that being in memory of local rock star Julie Main, who was instrumental in organizing this event along with championing a cutting-edge health/fitness program for cancer patients long before the she passed away from the disease a few years ago.
Julie’s Team includes a new winning combination – the SBCC Women’s Softball Team.
A mutual friend of Paula Congleton, SBCC head coach in her 14th year, and Julie’s mom, Diane Baskin made it happen.
Within a short span of two weeks, the softball team made pink shirts and hair ribbons and raised nearly $2,000 for the cause. They’re here in force and cheering wildly for the runners zooming past.
“We are so proud of Paula and the girls,” said Mrs. Baskin, who attended a SBCC fall-season softball game the previous day with Julie’s other surviving family members and, apparently, brought good luck – an 18-8 victory over Alan Hancock.
Coach Congleton also happened to be a pitching coach for the late Julie’s young niece – Hannah Harris, DP softball pitching phenom.
But, as far as Harris attending SBCC, the luck stops there.
She’s off to Fresno State on a full ride next Fall.
Other Cancer Center Walk/Run highlights include:
New team “Beachbutton” picked up the coveted Silver Cup Award for raising the most money on average per person ($450);
Kate (no relation to Danny) Ocean, received the prestigious Julie Main Inspiration of Hope Award for not only her courageous battle with cancer, but her always-positive spirit she demonstrates everyday with showering everyone at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with hugs and praise.
The Best Race Fare on the Planet – a delicious hot breakfast provided gratis and served by long-time host sponsor, The Four Season’s Biltmore – Santa Barbara Resort. “We love doing this,” says Karen Earp, GM. “We have a very special connection with this fantastic event that runs deep for us.”
“It’s been a great day,” said Rick Scott, CCSB President, “In raising research funding for a critical cause and in bringing our community together.”
Since the event’s 1993 inception, more than $2 million has been raised in support of local cancer research.
And, hopefully, a cure is soon on the horizon.
Until then, Jeff Zamora will keep on running … and dreaming … and being an inspiration for all us, as well …
Special thanks to Lindsay Groark, CCSB Public Relations, who assisted with this story.
