Like many others, I came to the sport of running purely because of a charity that held personal meaning. At the age of 53, running, (let alone 13.1 miles) was not part of my master plan. But life does have a way of challenging those best laid paths, and my family’s escalating battle with Autism Spectrum Disorder led me to Autism Speaks. (I Won’t Grow Up… 53, Tinker Bell and Me) Each year, thousands of folks run their very first race for charity, which accounts for the over 1 billion dollars raised for causes through road races in the US last year. Running for a non profit not only increases the visibility and viability of a cause, it ensures a successful race for all promoters. A win-win!
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| Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon |
During the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be the chief race beneficiary, and a whopping 25 runDisney Charity Groups will be participating:
- A-T Children’s Project
- ACE Pay it Forward
- Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
- American Liver Foundation
- Arthritis Foundation
- ASPCA
- Autism Speaks
- Blessed Trinity
- Block Institute
- Caleb’s Crusade
- Catch-A-Lift Fund
- Children’s Tumor Foundation
- Covenant House
- Give Kids The World
- Homes For Our Troops
- JDRF
- Lazarex Cancer Foundation
- Magic Foundation
- Noah’s Light Foundation
- Orlando Orthopedic
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
- Scott Carter Foundation
- St. Jude Heroes
- The Fit and Flourishing Foundation
- Tourette Syndrome Association/Team TSA
The benefits of running with a charity are many and sometimes obvious. On the surface you may:
– Receive Walt Disney World Theme Park ticket and hotel discounts.
– Obtain special team t-shirts and/or race singlets and other team apparel.
Depending upon the charity (and the fundraising obligation, which can range from $300 to $5,000 per event), you may have access to e-training with a team coach, receive electronic training manuals, team parties, team pasta dinners, (often in limited-access venues), official team photos and other such perks. What is less obvious are the benefits of team moral, hearing inspirational stories, the satisfaction of running for a cause bigger than yourself, and the fundraising dollars you supply that truly change lives. Did I leave out pure, unadulterated fun??
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| Post race photo; Inaugural Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler |
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| Team Up! with Autism Speaks Dinner at The Living Seas Pavilion- Second Floor |
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| Team Up! with Autism Speaks dinner; Disneyland Hotel |
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| Inaugural Disneyland 10K |
Be sure to skip through the rest of the Virtual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Blog Hop, with my co-host Tricia Lynne, @DisneyGalTricia, HERE.
You are such an inspiration Donna! Running for a reason has changed my whole outlook. Congrats on reaching your goal! Great post 🙂
And I can say the same for you Tricia; I know you'll have an extra special time with your team next weekend!
Thanks for sharing a bit of your running story and passion, Didi! I've always been curious about the fundraising/team aspect of the races – this was interesting & helpful.
Keep up the wonderful job you are doing, you are truly an inspiration to many of us! 🙂
Thanks Tami- I'll keep running, as long as you do! 😉 #teammates
What a lovely reminder. I have always wondered about running for a charity, but I've been afraid of not making the fundraising minimums.
I do understand, some of the charities do have large commitments (but they usually offer much more in the way of training aids or other perks). I personally like the multitasking approach to racing!
Great post. I too have considered running for a cause but was worried about the fundraising minimums. And you are NEVER too old to start running. My dad ran his first 5K at 56 and ran his first half marathon at 59 last spring for my oldest son's 13th bday. Your post was very inspiring!
Thanks Marge- tell your dad hi! (And also tell him I'm shooting for a full marathon for my 60th!! Hint hint :D)
What a great time, Donna, and for such a great cause! I have run 5K races before for Susan Komen Foundation, and thoroughly enjoyed myself even if my time wasn't as good as I would have liked it! 🙂
Isn't that the beauty of running for a cause Mike? The self matters less than the whole; I'm never too thrilled with my times either, but when running for a charity, who cares??!
I love that your inspiration to run was a charity! That is awesome. I need to find MY inspiration!
That's because you ARE the inspiration Heidi. <3
I love this. You get to do something for yourself AND others. A win-win. I am so thankful for all those who participate as a part of Team Challenge for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, a cause very near and dear to my heart (and stomach).
Rosanne @ The Disney Point
I know you understand perfectly Rosanne; I'm always so thankful for those who have never been personally impacted, and yet give all for causes, They are so inspiring!
This is awesome! I ran with American Cancer Society in memory of my uncle. It makes the race that much more special! 🙂
It really does Beth; running for something bigger than yourself is such a motivator. (That is especially helpful around Mile 10…!)