WASHINGTON — Army veteran Catherine Bane competed in Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, but she said the event meant more to her than merely a running accomplishment.
“Running for me has always been the thing that I go … and just let it all out there,” said Bane, who left the Army as a specialist and now lives in New Bern, North Carolina. “So 26.2 miles … that’s a good therapy session for me.”
Bane was sexually assaulted in 2004 by two men in her unit, she said, and she grappled with guilt and shame in the aftermath. The military, she said, didn’t do enough to help her. But Hope for the Warriors, a nonprofit, was there for her with comprehensive counseling and support at a time when her marriage was crumbling.
Bane’s husband, Marine Corps veteran Raymond Bane, said the group saved their family.
“Hope for the Warriors has been there giving us a positive outlet … bringing us together closer as a family.”
Since Catherine Bane’s ordeal, she has served as a mentor for the organization’s Women’s Veteran Initiative.
The long-time runner finished the race in less than four hours. She plans to run in the New York City marathon in early November.
Published in conjunction with 