By Shelley Hubal

Our intention was to have a quiet hike on a beautiful summer afternoon. What happened instead was something much more profound. 
The event is called “The Many on the Genny.” This 45-mile race around Letchworth State Park is also known in the running world as an “ultra-trail race.” To be clear, we did not run this grueling race. What we did instead was cheer on many of the 150 athletes as they were at the 30-to-34-mile marks. 
When we encountered the first racer, we estimated he had been running the trails of the park for more than five hours. We cheered, clapped and stepped aside to let him through. He smiled, said, “Thank you” and kept running at a brisk pace. This is how it went for the next four hours. We would encounter a runner or a group of runners, clap and cheer, and tell them they were close to the aid station or pepper them with encouragement and watch as they sweated and toiled, committed to putting one foot in front of the other in pursuit of a colossal goal.
One runner was suffering from dehydration. My husband gave him water and we encouraged him to make it to the aid station just over the next ridge.
We met two women that called themselves the “trail fairies.” Dressed in brightly colored costumes they sat on a hefty stump along the trail about a mile before the aid station and cheered on the runners as they made their way past the 30-mile mark. We sat with them for a while and joined in as they extended their good cheer. 
I will never forget how our simple words of encouragement and applause impacted the racers. Each and every one we encountered smiled, thanked us and ran a little lighter and faster. 
By the time, we made our way out of the woods four hours later, I found myself glowing as if I had just finished “The Genny.” This first-hand experience in extending simple acts of kindness made my heart feel full and lit up my soul. Not bad for a quiet hike on a beautiful summer afternoon. 
I am extending my good cheer to all of you and wishing you a happy and healthy summer filled with blessings.