Run Mary, Run!

Debbie Denmon reports

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• 11/02/08: Car hits three marathon runners
• LINK: Dallas Running Club Half Marathon
• LINK: W.B. Travis Vanguard Academy

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DALLAS — Nearly killed after running a marathon one year ago, a beloved teacher and avid runner did a victory lap Sunday on the same trail she ran the day she was hit by a car.

Mary Oliver ran 13 miles to share a lesson in perseverance with her loved ones and seventh grade students at W.B. Travis Vanguard Academy.

"I remember waking up in the ICU," Oliver recalled. "And when they were explaining the extent of my injuries, I actually thought this was not going to happen. I really felt I was never going to run again."

On November 2, 2008, Oliver was one of three runners hit by a car after finishing the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon at White Rock Lake. Both of her legs and one of her arms were broken and her pelvis was fractured.

The injuries put Oliver in a wheelchair for four months.

"To prove that things happen, bad things can happen, but you recover," she said of why she chose to run the marathon this year. "You get over it and you move on."

Many bystanders hugged Oliver and expressed disbelief as they watched the teacher run with a steady pace.

"Recovery is possible," she said. "You know, I wanted to show that to my family and to my students."

Dozens of students stood on the sidelines with water and posters with words of encouragement written across them.

"I really love Ms. Oliver and I'm really glad that she's recovered so fast," said MacKenzie Johnson, a student.

"She's so brave," said Asterid Terrezas, another student. "She's just unbelievable."

At the halfway mark, even the school's principal, Mari Smith, couldn't believe her eyes.

"It's all I can do to keep from crying," Smith said. "[I'm] just very proud of her."

Oliver ran the 13 miles in 3 hours, 10 minutes and 54 secdonds.

"My family, students, church family got me through it," she said. "Today is a celebration for them just as much as it is a celebration for me."

Brandi Hopkins, the driver who hit the three runners, received two misdemeanor citations for driving with a suspended license and for not having insurance.

Oliver said her relationship with God helped her to forgive Hopkins.

E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com