The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has a new athletic program called Team Challenge. This endurance training program sends people to exotic locales to run or walk in half marathons.

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.