In sickness and in health: A Sound to Narrows love story

If you’ve participated in a race before, you can probably picture the sights and sounds of the finish line — family and friends cheering, timing announcements booming over the loudspeaker, cowbells clanging.

But what about wedding bells ringing?

In 2000, Senthil and Barbara Masilamani crossed the finish line at Sound to Narrows and stepped straight into their wedding ceremony — running shoes, race bibs and all.

The couple, who were avid runners at the time, met through a local running club. They competed in 5Ks and marathons together.

And yet Sound to Narrows remained the favorite race of these two South Sound residents. That, coupled with their love of Point Defiance, made Sound to Narrows the logical place to celebrate their nuptials.

“I don’t remember if it was Barbara’s idea or mine, but it seemed very appropriate that we would marry at the race. We wouldn’t have met each other if it wasn’t for running.”

Senthil remembers details of that race day vividly. He finished the race 15 minutes behind Barbara, afraid the extra time would give her a chance to develop cold feet. Barbara jokes that she started to fear he was hiding in the bushes to avoid the ceremony.

But soon enough, Senthil and Barbara connected at the finish line, where an officiant was waiting with family and friends.

The runner’s high, coupled with the elation of their wedding day, made it one for the memory books.

As time wore on, the couple continued running but didn’t always make it out for Sound to Narrows. When Senthil started experiencing neurological issues, he realized just how special the race was to him and his family.

“I became more acutely aware that I need to make the most of these opportunities when they present themselves,” Senthil says. “I regretted the fact that I hadn’t been participating in Sound to Narrows and really wanted to get back to it.”

Senthil began getting around with the help of a walker. His neurosurgeon recommended Senthil be more active to help with strength and movement.

That’s when Senthil knew he would return to Sound to Narrows as a participant, bringing him back to the scene of his wedding held over a decade earlier.

While Senthil now completes the race at a slower pace, he’s glad to be participating.

“I had two choices after I had spinal surgery,” Senthil says. “I could either choose to not participate in the activities I normally would enjoy, or I could make the best of it. So I chose the latter, even if that meant plodding along with a walker at 40 minutes a mile.”

Since returning, Senthil completes the Sound to Narrows 5K walk with Barbara by his side. He may be the last to cross the finish line, but he doesn’t mind.

“The most important thing is to get out there and not be afraid to do it,” says Senthil. “One of the great things about running is the vast majority of people are in a personal race. You’re not really competing against other people; you’re doing it for our own reasons and to meet your own goals.”

The Sound to Narrows course remains one of Senthil and Barbara’s favorites, and it’s not just because of their sentimental connection. The beauty of Point Defiance, the support and community feel of the race, and the fact that it attracts runners and walkers of all abilities makes them proud to be part of the Sound to Narrows community.