It was a dream come true for a Cape Breton doctor who recently achieved a huge goal at a world-famous marathon.
Dr. Kate MacInnes, a hematologist at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital (ICMH), became the first female from the Island to run the Boston Marathon in under three hours, according to the ICMH Foundation.
The 26.2-mile race happens every year in Massachusetts with runners from around the globe.
This year, MacInnes – fondly known around the hospital as ‘Dr. Kate’- not only finished at 2:58:34 but also had the chance to honour her cancer patients at Mile 19, one of the most challenging sections of the race.
She says it was a very emotional run.
“One patient of mine, wo had intended to be in Boston for the marathon but could not due to illness, asked me at Mile 19 to think of other runners who would have liked to make the run but unfortunately couldn’t,” says MacInnes.
She says, she couldn’t help but think of all her patients who are facing very challenging times with determination and strength.
“They gave me motivation to do well. To keep them in my thoughts, I wrote ‘Mile 19’ on my arm. They were all part of my run,” explains MacInnes.
Celebration
When MacInnes returned home the ICMH cancer clinic’s staff greeted her with a celebration.
Melissa Beaton, a registered nurse at the cancer clinic says they are “so proud of Dr. Kate.”
“She is a hard-working hematologist who goes above and beyond for our cancer patients at ICMH and now she is the fastest female from Cape Breton to run the Boston Marathon,” says Beaton in a statement.
She says MacInnes is the entire package.
“The kindest person in the world, incredibly smart, musical and athletic. She is amazing.”
