Running For Many Reasons

We are lucky to have met so many wonderful runners over the last few months.   Many take the time to share their stories with us, including some of the reasons they are running.   

Here are a few runners running for reasons larger than themselves.  Stop by and show your support through a comment, a thought or contribution:

• Allie (aka RunnerGirl) who is running her first marathon and doing it in support of Ronald McDonald House
• Jason who is trying to raise $25,000 before the Marine Corp Marathon to fund the local cancer center (link to story), in memory of his mom who passed away from esphogeal cancer.
• Joe is running to raise money for WWII veterans.  On November 8, he'll be running the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon. Leading up to it he will raise money to help send his county's World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to see the war memorial. Last year, my county lost 138 veterans, and they want the ones remaining to go to D.C. before it's too late. His goal is to raise more than $5,000 by having citizens, companies and civic groups sponsor me for a day, a week, or a month worth of miles. ALL of the proceeds will go to Bartow County(Ga)'s American Legion so that they can buy tickets and hotel rooms for as many veterans as possible.  Click here for a link to his story.
• Milano Running Mom is raising money to help kids and people in her community have a place to run.  She lives in a tiny community that has no track and only dirt roads that aren't safe. She is trying to raise the necessary funds to build a track for the community, senior citizens to grade school kids. With grants and donations she hopes to have a track in place in less than 2 years. Check out the upcoming race and community group - nowhere2run.org.

Anyone else running for a good cause?  Drop us a note or leave a comment below and share your cause.

Comments

[David H.]

Although I'm not running for a specific cause this summer, I raised $1,000 this past spring for the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center. Although I was injured and didn't run the 10k like I normally would, it was great to be out there running for other people. I'm looking forward to doing something like that again.

[Harvey A.]

After a 10 year break from my last marathon, I am running this year's NYC Marathon with Fred's Team which raises money for children's Cancer. I was inspired partly by my dad who is being treated for cancer and happens to be a Pediatric Oncologist.

[Darin Swanson]

I am running one of my ultras this year to help raise money for the Micah Project. The Micah Project is non-profit Christian organization located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras that reaches out to boys living in the dump and on the street. The Project provides a group home, quality schooling and lots of love. Now a number of these former street kids are now in college and dedicated to becoming leaders in the community. For more details please see:
http://runnerwhocodes.blogspot.com/2008/07/micah-project.html

[Laurel aka Lily]

On Canada Day a group of us ran the HBC Run for Canada which supported the Canadian Athletes going to Beijing.

But the race I'm really looking forward to is the very first Canada Army Run, a Half Marathon on September 21, 2008, in downtown Ottawa, which supports the wives, children and families of active Canadian soldiers.

Please see : http://www.armyrun.ca/en/default.aspx

This race is fashioned after the Marine Corps., I can hardly wait!!!

[Amy]

Thanks for your contribution and support to so many great causes! Because I think it is a great way to share - I have added a thread in the Lounge so anyone can share their story and shout out about their favorite charities and causes. If you have one to add - go to: http://www.runnerslounge.com/forums/messages.cfm?threadid=12B51484-CA63-FFFD-B4054E58CA29395D