Run the Twin Cities Marathon to Change Lives

I wasn’t much of a runner. I had always been an athlete of various kinds, but I came to college and found myself running more and more, and actually enjoying it. The summer between my sophomore and junior year of college, I said to myself, “I’m going to RUN! I am going to set a new goal.” And I did. I decided I would run a half marathon. However, due to an injury, I had to quit about halfway through my training.

For me, a half marathon was a huge deal! Maybe, just maybe, one day after college into the future I would have time to  run a full. What I didn’t know was that in less than 6 months, I would be signing up for the Twin Cities Marathon.

This was a special occasion. I am really passionate about environmental justice – you know the things like clean water, adequate food, sanitation, etc.  So this was a perfect fit! You are probably wondering what the connection between me running a marathon and environmental justice?

What Inspired me to Run

One day there was a table in our student commons and this man – we’ll call him Bradley – was standing at a table that had a World Vision Banner on it. I heard he was doing some clean water project thing – and well, since this was an interest – I thought I could at least go talk to the man. So I did. And he was CONVINCING.

He told me about this girl in Kenya named Rosemary who walked four miles, twice a day to scoop dirty water into a pale and carry it back to her village on her head. She was 8. My brother is 8. I cannot picture him doing that! I was flooded with emotion. I knew this was an injustice and something could be done to change it. So I asked him, what can I do to make a difference?

He said “RUN.”  – “Huh?”

Running to Change Lives

Run 26.2 miles. Raise $50.00 per mile and bring clean water to villages like Rosemary’s. He told me about the impact that this could make. I couldn’t stand still – I needed to run. I needed to do it for children like Rosemary. I needed to do it because it’s not okay that she lives her life this way.

In 2012 I did it! I raised well over my goal and finished in 4 hours and 43 minutes. And I am doing it again. I will run for Clean Water Projects in Kenya with Team World Vision at the 2013 Twin Cities Marathon.

This year my goal is to raise $5,000.00. I am trusting that every cent will come in and more. Wanna make a bigger impact? Contact me about joining our team. Join the team. Run a Race. Change lives.

Team World Vision : I care. And so I run.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik4GeRAZyqA