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Thirty-five years ago, LW resident Tom Pontac ran 100 miles from the city of Wrightwood to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Thirty-five years later, he never expected to be walking at the Rose Bowl again with others living with Parkinson’s disease. On March 3, Pontac was walking among 14 others living with Parkinson’s, cheered by family and friends. He was the oldest and fittest participant. His motto is that he may have Parkinson’s disease, but it doesn’t have him.

The race directors consider Pontac a celebrity, and everyone is impressed with his effort to overcome daily challenges that Parkinson’s presents. Pontac also shares his journey on YouTube, under Tom Pontac.

—Jeanne Pontac

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