Help us Push Petrina Crabtree Across the Finish Line at the 2024 London Marathon

Hi, my name is Sarah Bauer, and on behalf of my four siblings and a community of devoted friends, we are working together to send our mother to the London Marathon in 2024. Like many women, my mother put aside many of her own interests to raise her children. When all four children were grown, at the age of 45, family members convinced her to join them for a 1/2 marathon run in Louisville KY.

In training for the 1/2 marathon, she discovered she loved running; it completed her. It was a sport she could do solo. Coming home after work, throwing on her shoes, and going out for a run became a regular part of her week. It was beautiful seeing our mom embrace this new hobby, make friends who supported and encouraged her, improve her physical well-being, and blossom as a competitor. Our hearts were warmed to see her indulge in this new passion and we knew it would be a lasting part of her life.

After the 1/2 marathon she set a goal for herself - she wanted to complete a marathon in every state. She trained and completed 5K and 10Ks, eventually completing marathons in 14 states. She ran Boston, New York City, the Marine Corp Marathon and Pikes Peak. It was after the NYC Marathon that she learned about the 6 Star Finishers and set a second goal to try to run all 6 World Major Marathons. We were so proud of her.

On July 11, 2020, mom was on a bicycle ride. The last thing she remembers is thinking a car following behind was too close. She spent 2 weeks in ICU and 1 week in TCU before being discharged to Frazier Rehab for 4 weeks of inpatient therapy. She didn't remember the accident, but the accident changed everything. She had a C4 incomplete spinal fracture. As a result of her injuries, she faced numerous surgeries to repair her broken jaw and stabilize the injuries in her spine. Over the next 3 years she relearned learned to walk. She worried she would never run again. So did we.

As mom grew stronger, she started finding ways back to being able to enjoy activities she had done before. She joined an adaptive rowing group run by the Louisville Rowing Club. She bought a recumbent trike with electric shifting so she could ride a bike again. She researched how she could get involved in marathons. Now, she is training on her hand-cycle to compete in Chicago and Berlin in the Fall of 2023. My mother’s spirit is indominable and an inspiration to us and others.

At the age of 63, and still coping with the long-term complications of her accident, Mom's goal is to complete the 6 World Major Marathons. Her family is dedicated to supporting this goal and has been excitedly planning for the future events. It was while we were reviewing the participation rules for the London Marathon that we realized we would need help from the wonderful people who donate to GoFundMe causes to help her reach her goal.

The London Marathon doesn't allow hand-cycles. For mom to participate, we will have to relay-run the Marathon, pushing her in a wheelchair across the (26.2 miles) course. Two of her daughters, one son, and her long-term physical therapist are committed to helping her complete the London Marathon in 2024. As a group, we can bring Mom across the finish line. She deserves that for the life and love she has given us.

London Marathon’s lottery is extremely difficult to obtain a spot, so as a group we are running with the Salvation Army of Great Britain Charity. We will fundraise for this wonderful charity and they will provide us the racing entry bibs so we can be a part of the marathon. The Salvation Army will be raising funds to help the homeless. For us, this is an opportunity to improve many lives all at once. You can help this charity and support our quest to give Mom her dream with just a small amount. Your support will provide support for the homeless and will help us reach our group goal.

We hope that you will join us in celebrating her life, her ambitions, and in helping her reclaim the sense of accomplishment that marathon running gave her. At the same time, her participation helps others, not just by raising money for the noble causes, but by raising awareness of what life after a loss of mobility can look like. We thank you for your donations, appreciation, and fanfare.

We hope you will watch as she makes it to the finish line and that it will inspire you to reach your goals in life, despite any obstacles – but look quick, because nothing is going to slow our Mom down.