Running with purpose
Annual Palio remembers Spa native by carrying on her legacy
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. » The 12th annual Saratoga Palio: Melanie Merola O’Donnell Memorial Race drew a large crowd Sundaymorning to downtown Saratoga Springs.
About 1,400 runners and walkers participated in this year’s event, which included a half- marathon, 5K and Kids Fun Run.
The Saratoga Palio was established in 2006 to honor the life and legacy of Merola O’Donnell, a Saratoga Springs native who died in a car accident at age 33 while in the midst of doctoral studies in psychology. Merola O’Donnell lived a life of giving, focusing her career on relieving suffering inflicted by mental illness.
“It was mostly friends and family that wanted to support Melanie and her legacy,” said Michelle Merola, Melanie’s sister.
While it’s still organized by friends and family, however, the race has become a major community event.
“I don’t think we ever envisioned it getting as big as it is,” Michelle said while standing among hundreds of runners at the start line Sundaymorning.
Even as it grows, the race still has a strong connection to Merola O’Donnell, especially for those who knew her.
“Every year when the horn sounds, and hundreds, if not a thousand, people swarm into that street, you think ‘ This is because of Melanie and the things that she was inspired by,’” Michelle said, adding it sometimes makes her teary.
Money raised through the race goes to the The Melanie Foundation, whose mission is to foster support for the mental health field. The foundation contributes with scholarships awarded to graduate students pin a mental health field and direct contributions to local organizations that address mental health issues.
“That was important to my sister 12 years ago, when she passed,” Michelle said, adding that she thinks it’s even more important today. “It’s rewarding to be doing something that’s reflective of Melanie, but really important to society.”
This year, a donation was made to Senior Support Services at the Saratoga Senior Center, which works to empower seniors to achieve and maintain personal independence and well- being. The 2017 scholarship recipients, meanwhile, were Sarah Levant of Silver Springs, Maryland.; Sarajane Rodgers of Broad Run, Virginia; Beth Waterman of Somerville, Massachusetts; and Andrea Wierzchowski of Dallas.
Some of this year’s recipients were able to come to Saratoga Springs for Sunday’s event, and even ran in the race.
“It’s just an honor to be here for the cause and to learn about Melanie and the life she lived,” Levant said just before running in the 5K. “The community is outstanding, just very warm and welcoming.”
Wierzchowski said she was grateful for the experience, as well.
“When I got here, I was just so touched about how the community comes together in order to honor Melanie and how her friends and family are so dedicated to paying it forward and making sure that her legacy lives on,” she said.
More information about The Melanie Foundation and the Saratoga Palio: Melanie Merola O’ Donnell Memorial Race is available online at www.themelaniefoundation.com.