Becoming a Charity Runner

Technically, by definition, I think you could already say that I am a charity runner.  As far as I know, every race now-a-days takes a portion of its entry fee and gives it to some type of charitable organization, local or otherwise.  I don't think people have been willing to set up races as a strictly for-profit type of venture, with the exception of events such as the Warrior Dash, which appear to be awesome, so don't think I'm dogging on that.  Just speaking in generalities, the races I have participated in seem to make it a point to have a cause to get behind.  This time last year, I was preparing to run the inaugural Run for Ronald 5k, which would also be my first ever race.  The recap is right here, and it is was, well, something else.  At the time, without thinking about it, I had been asked, as a race participant, to gather some pledges to sponsor my run for this race.  For an inaugural event, the turnout appeared to be pretty good, and the Ronald McDonald House here in Topeka raised over $13,000, of which my race entry fee and very modest pledges played a small part.

But looking back now on the other races, it appears that raising money for a cause through running/racing/walking is a big hit.  At a 5k in Wichita last May, the entry fees went towards the Victory in the Valley, a non-profit cancer support organization.  The KC Half Marathon in October has the official charity of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  So, when you factor in that 11,000 people or so ran the variety of race distances in Kansas City, that adds up.

This brings me back to this week.  I've become involved with the Ronald McDonald House here in Topeka.  No, not because I have a child in the hospital, but because my Coach recently has become an employee of theirs and I have been able to spend a portion of my time over there checking out the surroundings and helping out with things to help her get started on the right foot.  I literally did not know a thing about the Ronald McDonald House in any facet until about 6 weeks ago.  Now, I find myself wanting to help out whenever I can.  And this is where becoming a charity runner comes into play.  I've been running for a year now, and I've gotten a lot out of it in many ways, as you know.  I feel that this year, I can firmly use my limited internet power for some good and helping out a great organization.  This will end up being an 18 month thing, by the way, so I hope you don't mind some reminders every now and again.

All of that introduction leads me to discuss that I am once again taking part in the Run for Ronald 5K this coming Saturday at Lake Shawnee.  I am also gathering sponsorships for this run in an effort to help the Ronald McDonald House continue to meet their budget needs.  If you are so inclined, the Ronald McDonald House and I would greatly appreciate the support!  The bigger news is that I will be signing up for the October 2012 Chicago Marathon and will be attempting to raise money to earn a charity slot for one of the biggest marathons in the world!  That will be a big theme for me over the next year and a half.  Who says that running can't be helpful to others?  I don't know, but I would imagine that somebody has said that at one point or another.  So, I humbly ask for a little more of your support, even though you have all been so generous with your time reading my ramblings as it is.  I've included a link for direct donations to the House, as well as a link to their Facebook page, where you can like 'em.  I'm excited to help out with this race, and to do my part throughout the next 18 months to help out a great organization.  If you do decide to pledge, please send me an email or something and I will promote your blog, thank you, and give you a follow friday on Twitter.  Big stuff, I know!  Until next time...later.

Sponsor me in my 5k run! (apologize for the clumsy link, but the donation box is about halfway down)

RMHC of NE KS Facebook Page