Firecracker Walk/Run by Dawn’s Early Light

By Elgin Jumper

BIG CYPRESS — At dawn, about 6:30 a.m., on July 4, 21 participants either walked or ran in the third annual Firecracker Walk/Run. The early staging of the event served as a precaution to the extreme heat later in the day.

The distance of the track is roughly 3.2 miles or three kilometers, that is, one and a half miles up and one and a half miles back. The event took place near the bridge and the L-28 Canal and the dirt road on the east side of the residential area.

The Walk/Run was organized by Edna McDuffie, community outreach coordinator for the Big Cypress Wellness Center, along with the support of health educators and Tribal officials. In attendance were: Big Cypress Council Representative David Cypress, President Richard Bowers Jr. and Chairman Mitchell Cypress, who have long been involved in these ongoing health and exercise-oriented events.

Two tables were set up by Tribal health educators for sign-up sheets and several bowls of fruit were available for participants to partake of. Plenty of bottled water was also on hand to keep walkers and runners hydrated. A Tribal EMS crew and ambulance were stationed nearby in case of any emergencies. Fortunately, their services weren’t needed.

“It’s good for the Tribe,” pointed out President Richard Bowers Jr., “It’s good for our health, and we should do more to promote it because of the high diabetes percentage within the Tribe. There needs to be more involvement because of our children, starting them on the road to healthier lifestyles at a young age. And hopefully we’ll get more parents involved.”

At the outset, Suzanne Davis, allied health manager, took the gathering through a series of preliminary warm-ups and stretches.

“First thing in the morning you’re not quite limbered up like you might be later on in the day, so you need to wake your muscles up just a little bit,” she said. “It helps to avoid injuries.”

Walking and running are two of the best exercises people can do to keep their blood sugar levels and blood pressure down. They make a drastic difference in overall health. But since not everyone is at the same level

physically, individuals have to be conscious of where their particular level is.

The catalyst and prime organizer for these events is Walk/Run Coordinator Edna McDuffie. McDuffie, originally from the Brighton reservation, organizes the walking program. McDuffie works hard, often on her own time, promoting healthier lifestyles, walking and running. But as she herself emphasized, the health educators are crucial to the administration of her challenging task.

McDuffie explained the central ideas of her mission.

“We have these competition walks, as well as regular walks all through the year, to try and get more people to come out, and to start walking more,” she said. “Like I heard someone say earlier that they haven’t been walking, but this will be a start for them.

“If we can reach even a few people to remind them that this is good for you, and it’s easy to do, then that’s what we’re about. The last Friday of each month we have a walk out here. The seniors have walks out here too. And as you can see, we have great support and encouragement from our Tribal officials — David and Mitchell, they always come out to participate and support us; Richard Bowers is out here today … when you have the kind support of Tribal officials then that makes your job that much easier.”

An awards ceremony was presented afterward. The group was then invited to Sadie’s for a hearty breakfast, Chairman Cypress’ treat. Cypress also suggested to McDuffie that a walk/run could be held in conjunction with the impending 50th year Commemoration of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. However, that event is still in the early planning stages.

The results for the walk/run were:

Youth Walk/Run: 1. Nia Cypress, 2. Aileen Cypress.

Female Runners, Ages 31-44: 1. Cathy Cypress, 2. Lenora Roberts, 3. Candy Cypress; Ages 45-54: 1. Shirley Clay, 2. Helene Buster; Ages 55 and Over: 1. Mary Tigertail.

Female Walkers, Ages 18-30:1. Marisa Baker, 2. Almira Billie, 3. Carol Osceola; Ages 55 and Over 1. Edna McDuffie, 2. Louise Billie

Male Runners, Ages 18-30: 1. Leon Wilcox.

Male Walkers, Ages 45-54: 1. Richard Bowers Jr.; Ages 55 and Over: 1. Mitchell Cypress.

Non-Tribal Community Members: Walkers: 1. John Osife, 2. Harley Roberts; Runners: 1. Pete Ramirez, 2. Van Samuels.