One sunny day this past summer, if you were passing McEuen Park, you would have witnessed an exciting, carnivalesque scene: A park full of adults and youth, some running in a 5k race, others rushing through an obstacle course, and yet others playing in bounce houses, purchasing items from food trucks and other vendors. You would have seen them snapping pictures with Mudgy and Millie and even visiting a mermaid princess who had come to view the spectacle from the comfort of her inflatable pool. If you had been there, and perhaps you were, you would have seen 800 registered participants cross one finish line or another. This was the 6th annual Run for #271, just one of the many examples of what happens when Megan Leary puts her creative mind to work to benefit her community.
If you were to ask Megan what is extraordinary about her, as modest as she is, she’d probably scoff at the question, roll her eyes a little and say, “Nothing.” However, I know better. I’ve been aware for some time that she does a lot in this community. It turns out she does more that I knew. In fact, it may be impossible to track the number of individuals and causes she’s inspired or raised funds for through her creative events.
Of course, as you might have guessed, it has something to do with passion. But it’s not a tear wrenching, inner fire, kind of passion. Not the sort of passion one might preach about, or recruit zealots to. In fact, you’d likely not know it was there unless you were to ask her about it. And even then, you wouldn’t get much more than a friendly, but sincere invite to her next event. “It’s fun,” she say. “You should come.”
I know, because I asked.
Then, I asked why—that’s ‘Why’ with a capital ‘W’ to connote the true depth of the ‘Why,’ the way an overly analytic poetry professor might ask. I assumed I’d get some kind of deep, gushing reply filled with humanitarian ideals and a personal life mission. And why wouldn’t I think that? It just makes sense because, well, Megan is a good-hearted person. She’s always been kind to me and to those I’ve seen her with. Her character seems to fit that mold. Instead, I learn that the driving force behind her passion for creating events is not all the complicated. “I’m a people person,” she says with a smile. “I just like helping people get off the couch.”
Although Megan’s not one to drone on about anything, especially herself, there is certainly more to the story.
“Let’s face it,” Megan continues, “everyone has ideas. I just decided to make some of mine [a reality]. I like to bring unique opportunities to people in the community. These creations I put on, or help with, provide a source of enjoyment that the participants otherwise wouldn’t have. I get pleasure from watching people have fun, reach goals, make new friends, and create memories….
And if along the way a charity can benefit, then call it a fundraiser!”
So, we return to McEuen Park. The 6th annual Run for #271 was hosted this year by the CDA Tri Team (another of Megan’s incredible creations). The event was created by Megan, with help from Elaina Matthews, for the purpose of raising money to improve physical education programs within School District #271. With a record high of 800 participants, the 6th annual Run for #271 raised $18,000 just this year. All of the funds, 100 percent are “to be spent by the PE teachers for equipment, field trips, programs, or whatever they see fit,” Megan says.
Other creations from the mind of Megan Leary include: I Do Two, a type of wedding/race event to support the local Boys and Girls Club; the CDA Tri Team (which shares in several other wild events as a club, like Moonlight Maniacs, and A “Different” Tri); the Gorilla Games (while there’s no charity for this crazy event, your registration cost just goes to cover the overhead); and her Sponsored Athletes program, designed to provide a training program/resource for those who have overcome some life battle and could use a little motivation and support.
Megan has also been significantly involved with the Coeur d’Alene Crossing, CDA Triathlon, CDA Marathon, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and even the shoe donation project at The Dirty Dash. So, it’s not always about creating events. She also loves to be involved in one way or another. Sometimes that means racing.
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“My first year at college, I gained my Freshman 15,” she jokes about it now. “Except it was my freshman 20.” So, Megan bought a road bike and signed up for an Ironman, although she didn’t really know LA. It really became my life. Not the training so much (although that was a big part) but the people.” Megan came in dead last in her first sprint triathlon. Then, she completed her first Olympic tri (not last). Her third triathlon was the Ironman. She finished, but attributes much of her accomplishment to the support of the members in her tri club. It’s no wonder, then, that Megan feels so strongly about helping others to succeed by providing enjoyable opportunities to test themselves.
When Megan first returned to Coeur d’Alene, she created the CDA Tri Team. She’s found great satisfaction in the tri team because, says Megan, “behind the scenes, I’ve been able to watch the growth of members, the club, and even myself.”
After six years as an organization, the CDA Tri Team has approximately 150 members and has supported countless locals in reaching their goals and overcoming difficult challenges, and it has created plenty lifelong friendships.
On a personal level, it has helped Megan to complete four more Ironman triathlons and numerous other races. She and her groom even competed in the Hayden Triathlon on their wedding day. As you might imagine, they had a large cheering section of CDA Tri Team friends. The Hayden Tri is now an annual anniversary event for the happy couple.
Shaun Leary, Megan’s husband, is no stranger to passion nor serving the community; he is a co-founder of the River City Running Rebels youth basketball league. He’s also no stranger to racing; he’s participated in a number of events with his wife. “I think Megan’s club and events are a product of her spirit,” says Shaun. “She is a big fan of being creative and enjoying camaraderie. At a triathlon event she’s more interested in who’s wearing green (CDA Tri Team colors) and which people are missing. I know she enjoys the people a lot more than the training and the racing.”
In the end, aside from her behind-the-scenes way of doing so much for so many, there’s another thing that inspires me about Megan Leary. It’s her unique ability to create fun. In fact, I imagine now that, like any artist, Megan has a muse. Her creative process is much like an expressionist painter, like a Mel McCuddin of events. Something sparks an idea and she stands back and watches it start to take form. When she begins to understand it, Megan sets to work appeasing her muse by creating something special that allows others to participate, and that serves a purpose and brings a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction to herself and many others.
Megan recently had to cut back a bit due to her day job and starting a family. “I guess there’s this thing called priorities,” she says. But she’s still trying to be involved. And there’s really no telling when her muse will show up, or what her next big creation will be. Whatever it is, and whether she sees it herself or not, Megan’s events have influenced the lives of thousands. And that, dear Megan, is extraordinary. N
By Toby Reynolds
As Featured In: Winter/Spring 2017