Monthly Archives: June 2007

Charitable Running

Most runners are good people! Some are even great people!! Runners as a whole may be some of the most giving individuals in the US. That sounds like a crazy statement, but most of us tend to race on weekends and inevitably, that race raises money for a specific cause. If we added up all of the race fees that supported an organization it could be a significant amount.

It is probably safe to say that most runners don’t have a personal interest in every cause they support with their race calendar. Although many will travel or make special exceptions for certain causes/events that are of particular interest. I ran a 5K the weekend after the Mini because I wanted to support the organization.

Many non-runners take up the sport because of programs like Team-in-Training, that provide support and personalized training. TNT boasts over 320,000 individuals have helped raise over $750 million. That’s a ton of money raised by individuals for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I have two friends (that I know of) who ran their first marathon because of TNT and in support or honor of a family member.

Using individuals in this manner has become a popular fund-raising method for large organizations across the country. Its effective because it raises money and awareness of the issues at a very local, grassroots level. The Complete Running Network posted regular updates about runners racing for charity at their blog’s Charity-o-Rama!

Another growing trend of “charitable running” is the donation of clothing, well specifically shoes! I don’t think anyone would want our used running shirts or shorts. Each year I’ve done the Indy Mini I always plan on taking my old shoes for their donation boxes, and each year I forget! The Mini partners with an organization called Changing Footprints, which is actually located in Indiana, Columbus I think. I know a few individuals who collect shoes and take them on mission trips around the world for distribution. Indianapolis based The Running Company has partnered with Soles 4 Souls, an international shoe donation organization, to be a drop-off site for used shoes. To encourage participation they are providing a 15% discount off new shoes with an old shoe donation.

So whether you do it on purpose or not, keep up the charitable running!

If you are actively involved in charitable running leave me a comment and I’ll make a collection of charitable running links and information.

Technorati tags: charity, philanthropy, running, sports, fitness, shoes, fashion

June 16 Race Results

Race Day: Jennifer’s Run

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As mentioned Thursday there were lots of races to choose from. I decided to travel to Hartford City to check out the 7th Annual Jennifer’s Run 5K. I was very cautious with my expectations regarding my performance due to my 11-miler yesterday at Westwood. I ran a 20:47 (6:19, 6:50, 6:56, :41) and could definitely tell my legs were tired, not to mention the heat! Overall results are here.

Note: Before you read my review let me say that I am 100% behind their cause and the reasons for their race. I think domestic violence is horrific and awareness needs to be raised about the issue.

A quick race review: In summary I will not attend this race next year. Why not? Lots of little reasons, a 9am start is a bit late given the mid-June race day, the course is pretty flat (a couple of tiny semi-hills) but had lots of turns and was delicately marked (little white lines within a foot of the curb and easy to miss mile markers). Not to mention being 1 tenth too long (3.2 miles). The police officer leading the race actually missed a turn, thankfully someone was biking and yelled at the leaders to turn! Other reasons include not having water at the finish (they did have Powerade) and an odd layout for the course (a quick turnoff after the finish line is already in sight). I should note that there was a water stop between 1.5 and 2 miles. The race was sponsored, in part, by RoadID Race Sponsorship Program which included gift certificates for RoadID products for race winners and a $2 off coupon for all participants.

Finally and this may be the greatest sin a race director can commit, age group awards were not given out as advertised (for the awards they used 10 year instead of the advertised 5 year, making the error the other way wouldn’t cause any concerns!). In addition to a little confusion about some age group awards.

This is a good local race raising money for an excellent cause, but in my humble opinion not worth the drive from Anderson!

Am I too harsh? Want to talk about your recent race? Click on the comments link below and leave me a comment.

I did e-mail my concerns to the Race Director prior to this posting.

Technorati tags: running, fitness, road race, weekend, sports, race review

Wild, Wild, Westwood

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This morning I took part in an epic East Central Indiana running experience. I ran around the big loop at Westwood Park, near New Castle. I have heard much talk about this particular course and was finally able to take part with 2 other running buddies. We had a great time and ran it in about 93 minutes. What is the distance? That’s a good question. The park brochure calls it 10.5, my friend has biked it at 11, and DINO calls it 10. We marked it down as 11 for an 8:28 pace.

That pace sounds slow but this isn’t an easy run. Westwood’s website calls it one of the best and most challenging bike trails in Indiana. With hundreds of switchbacks and hills of all sizes and lengths that could be true! This trail hasn’t been rutted and is approximately 3 years old. But watch out there are plenty of roots and overhanging branches. I was constantly alternating between watching the ground and catching branches in the face. Unfortunately I was the only one in our group to actually hit the dirt, but another did stumble a few times as well. Another drawback of this particular course is that there is no water stops. Well, there is a picnic shelter 100 yards or so off the trail with water, but its hidden and without studying the map you might miss it. We did see that someone had dropped water bottles off for a later run!

The trail meanders through open fields, forests, pine forests, and much more. It roughly follows the contours of the 180 acre lake with bridges crossing some parts. Overall this was a great run, we took it nice and easy!

Don’t be too afraid, there are other trails as well. There is approximately a 6 mile hiking trail and a 6 mile horse trail, both circumvent the lake but cut out lots of the switchbacks.

The Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) has a great write up here. Click here for a map.

NOTE: There is a $2.50 entrance fee, even at 6:30 when we got there. The park is West of New Castle on SR 38.

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