Essie Garrett in the Peggy Rogers / Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure, October, 1998

In the fall of 1998, Peggy Rogers lost her battle with cancer. A close friend and colleague of Essie's, Peggy had driven over 5,000 miles on many ultra-marathon runs. Those runs included ultra-marathon races from Atlanta, Georgia to Coors Field in Denver, from Salt Lake City, Utah to the Colorado State Capitol, and from Denver to Omaha, Nebraska and back.

The friendship spanned 18 years and many journeys with Peggy taking on the arduous task of managing Essie's runs from behind the wheel of the lead vehicle. Her role, like that of other marathon drivers, involved studying all related maps, setting Essie's itinerary, overseeing temperature and altitude changes, adjusting Essie's fluid intake, shoe wear and tear, highway safety, hotel reservations, press conferences, and security.

To honor Peggy, Essie and friends ran from her home to the Glenarm Recreation Center in Denver where a memorial service was held.

Devoted to encouraging others to maintain their health through proper fitness and exercise, Peggy's friends and family paid their respects through music, dance, food, and the exchange of stories about her life.

Prior to Peggy's passing, she and Essie completed their last race together. Joined by tens of thousands, they completed the annual Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure to help raise funds for breast cancer research, to celebrate their support and love for cancer survivors and their families, and to further raise awareness about the disease.

For more information, visit the Susan G. Komen Foundation website.