Participants commit to raising funds to help find cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and the Foundation commits to covering the costs of their transportation, accommodations, race entry fees, and entertainment.

“The Foundation provides training to them over approximately 16 weeks and helps them with fundraising advice and assistance,” said Ariella Levine, Marketing Associate for The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. When you participate in Team Challenge, you are part of a team fighting for the important cause of helping the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Team Challenge also takes care of all of those “little details” that make traveling to a marathon so memorable and fun.

“Right now, we’re recruiting people to run and walk in the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 20. Highlights of this particular event weekend include a pre-race pasta party at a vineyard and post-race festivities including massage therapy, music, and wine tasting in downtown Sonoma Square. Plus there will be wine country-themed incentives for top fundraisers. Information meetings will take place around the country in March but people can start getting information and signing up today,” said Levine.

It is easy to get inspired to join Team Challenge. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, with over 1.4 million Americans (with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18) suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two seldom-discussed painful and unpredictable diseases of the digestive tract that currently have no cures. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35 and then live with them the rest of their lives. Team Challenge is a great way to participate in your favorite sporting events and help an important cause all at the same time.

Training is Extensive and Covers Everything You’d Want to Know

Levine emphasizes that “Volunteers are equipped with everything they need to cross the finish line at a half marathon.” Immediately after signing up, volunteers are given access to a free personal fundraising Web site that they can customize with stories and photos. Each week over this time period, participants meet in a group setting to run or walk with each other in a central location—a great way to make new friendships. Mentors and staff support participants fundraising efforts through personal help and fundraising clinics.

They are trained by professional run and walk coaches who help them learn about nutrition, hydration, injury prevention, and other topics relevant to half marathon training. At the same time, they are given access to fundraising advice and assistance before traveling together to the exciting location for race weekend.

The program is great if you have never run a marathon or a half marathon – or if you have run several and just want to come out and support a great cause.

It is easy to participate as a member of Team Challenge no matter your location. There are Team Challenge training groups around the United States. “However, if someone lives outside the United States or someplace not convenient to a training site, he or she can train virtually—and receive the same benefits as those meeting in person for training and fundraising clinics,” said Levine.

What Team Challenge is Like From Someone Participating in the Program

Levine is participating in the ING Miami Half Marathon on January 27th. She has enjoyed raising funds and helping to develop awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis diseases. “It is amazing how many people are unaware of how devastating these diseases are.” She has found that people she “barely knows” are quite willing to support her efforts. Levine.

Levine admits that she has found the regimented training schedule a bit challenging. “The support of other novice-athletes going through the program and the support of staff and coaches has been very motivating,” said Levine. She participates in the program virtually. She is given training tips by a professional coach, over the telephone and online. “I have the option of training with team members or training on my own,” said Levine.

To learn more about Crohn’s & Colitis Team Challenge, visit Team Challenge or call 1-800-932-2423. To learn more, attend an information meeting (scheduled at locations throughout the country). If you don’t live near an information meeting, you can sign up online or through the mail.

What makes a Jingle Bell Run/Walk festive for the holidays is that participants are given a set of jingle bells to tie to their sneakers. The air is filled with the cheerful sounds of jingle bells as the runners and walkers get energized and help to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. Participants are also encouraged to come dressed in a festive (and sometimes silly) holiday-themed costume to run or walk the 5K event in. The walk includes a 1K children’s run and a 5K run/walk with your dog. There is an awards ceremony following the event.

The Arthritis Foundation has held Jingle Bell Run/Walk Events throughout November and December. To see if there is one in your area, visit here.

Last year Banson walked from Brisbane to Canberra in memory of a friend, Clea Rose. Rose died at the Civic bus interchange in 2005.

Banson admitted that there were parts of the walk where she did not come into contact with anyone and she found it hard. Sleeping in the bush was also a challenge at times. Communication with the outside world also proved to be challenging at times.

“To be in the middle of nowhere for six weeks and to not have phone reception or a local phone booth or internet service and just, no way of contacting people or just having a chat with your friend or your Mum to make you feel good before you go to bed at night was a real challenge,” she said.

Source: ABC News

John says “It is not built yet. We are still raising money. I’ll be walking with ex-Olympians, current Chinese Olympians and famous people from all walks of life. “I am looking for sponsors. I am very excited. I just want to be alive to see the centre built.”

Source: Contact Music.com

Participants dressed in festive costumes for the event to make it even more merry and just a little silly. The event was a 5K route at Balboa Park at the West End of President’s Way. It included a children’s “fun run.” Awards were given at the end of the race.

Funds were raised through registration fees and pledges collected by participants. Participants were given incentive prizes for raising at least $100. Those that raised a minimum of $100 were given a pair of bright red Jingle Bell Run gloves and also entered in a drawing to win a Solana TX Hot Tub.

The Arthritis Foundation has been holding Jingle Bell runs throughout November and December across the U.S.A.. Visit here to see if there will be a Jingle Bell Run in your area.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk Events are held by the Arthritis Foundation and each participant is given a pair of jingle bells to tie to their sneakers. Participants in most areas are also encouraged to come in festive and merry holiday costumes to make the event even more fun. Many areas even include the family pet in the event, inviting your dog to run or walk along the course. The event is typically a 5K course.

The 5K event in Phoenix will be held at the Desert Ridge Marketplace on Saturday, December 8th. The top fundraiser to raise $1,000 or more will win two roundtrip tickets to fly anywhere on Southwest Airlines.

The 14th annual event in Prescott will be held on Saturday, December 1st at the Prescott courthouse Plaza Square. The event is presented by the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, Genentech and Abbott Immunology.

The Tuscon Jingle Bell Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, December 8th at the Reid Park Soccer Field in Tuscon. Participants are urged to “be there with bells on!”

The Arthritis Foundation has held Jingle Bell Run/Walk Events across the U.S.A. throughout November and December. Visit here to see if there is one near you.

This year’s event raised more than $22,000. Funds raised will benefit 37 different agencies and 85 health and human service programs through the United Way of the Coastal Empire according to Penny Cox, Director of Marketing and Special Events. The United Way of the Coastal Empire holds one 5K event every year.

More than 300 people came out to enjoy the day and participate in the event. This is an “average” number compared to years previous, though Cox wondered if the threatening weather reports had kept some people from coming to the event this year. The event was staffed by approximately 20 members, staff and volunteers. They helped register people the day of the event, handed out T-shirts, passed out food and drinks and manned the finish line. Food was donated by the Wild Wing Cafe, a popular restaurant in Savannah, Georgia.

Source: wotc tv, interview with Cox

In this year and the previous year, he walked in all 12 3-Day walk events held across the country. The walks are each 60 miles.

Blauer’s dedication and commitment are an encouragement to others, said Jenne Fromm, national spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. “(Those who walked with him) always left his presence … with a renewed sense of purpose,” she said. “What being with Barry, and other walkers like him, does is make you realize just how much is possible. It makes you think, ‘Gosh, if he can walk that far and raise those kinds of funds, then surely I can do this too.’”

Blauer is very enthusiastic about his walking. He dyes his beard pink. He ties pompoms on his sandals and occasionally wears a tutu over his shorts.

Next year there will be 14 3-Day events held across the country. Blauer is registered for all 14.

Source: HometownLife

“This is our ninth annual run and we are the only one in Alberta to increase every year,” said local chair Lisa Foreman. “Last year we had 160 runners who raised just over $11,000.”

All participants received a long-sleeved shirt, jingle bells for their shoes and a race kit. Participants could bring their pets to join them for the festive walk. Fun holiday costumes are always encouraged at the Jingle Bell Run, and various prizes were given in several categories for best costume.

Participants who registered by October 19th are eligible to win a trip to Mexico. The trip includes one week accomodations at a timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and a $1500 travel voucher. The event also included door prizes and a breakfast for participants.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk Events are occuring in other parts of Canada. Visit The Arthritis Society to see if there is an event near you!

Source: The Camrose Canadian

In Birmingham there will be a 5K timed race on a certified course and also a 1K “fun run/walk.” The walk will be held at the Underwood Park.

Participants pay a $30.00 fee to participate in the run or the walk. For those that raise $100.00, they will be entered to win a Solana TX Hot Tub.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk held in Montgomery will be held at the Huntingdon College. This event is dog friendly, participants can bring their dog to participate in the event. The event has a 5K run and a 1K “fun run/walk.”

Festive and merry costumes are encouraged at the Jingle Bell Walk/Run Events.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk Events are held across the country during the end of November/through December. Visit here to see if a run is in your area.