My Chicago Marathon 2025 Fundraising Page
Guisel Berry
Guisel Berry
After telling myself I would not run another marathon and be one and done...
I am now asking for your support to
*DRUMROLL PLEASE*
1. Raise $1,500 for the non-profit Chicago Run in order to:
2. Participate in the Chicago Marathon in 2025
3. Run a 26.2 miles even after I told myself I would not be doing that again
Why I am asking for monetary assistance:
I will be completely honest and say I threw my name in for the lottery to see if I would be selected, and I was not. Basically there are limited slots for runners to participate in this marathon via lottery and I was not chosen. I took this as a sign that maybe I should just not run a marathon in 2025, but to be honest who am I kidding I was truly not a one and done for running a marathon.
If I wanted to run the Chicago Marathon the other option would be to run for a charity. I decided if I would run for a charity it would be one that resonates with me and that I would feel passionate about and that is Chicago Run. This non-profit was actually recommended by a fellow runner I met through Latinas Run during my first marathon in Savannah earlier this year and I am thankful for having learned about it.
So what is Chicago Run?
Chicago Run is a non-profit whose mission is to promote health and wellness to children in the Chicago area. They do this through during school and after school programs as well as being involved in the local community. More specifically they want to provide equitable access to running / physical activity for children in "low child opportunity areas" which makes up nearly half of all youth in Chicago.
What I found to be the most impactful:
I was reading as much as I could about this non-profit and the thing that resonated with me the most was their Equity Philosophy on their page found here but I will also insert a screenshot so it is all in one place.
https://www.chicagorun.org/core-values
My WHY and how this ties back into my passion for Geography:
I picked up running 13 years ago (S P O O K Y as I type this on Friday the 13th) as an adult, and it has helped my health in so many ways - not just physically but the most impactful way has been to my mental health. Running has shown me to overcome things that life throws my way, goal setting and commitment, and is truly a hobby I enjoy. Running for that serotonin boost always.
The Equity Philosophy above is very impactful to myself as I read it, and feel like it truly does tie into Geography and the various barriers that do exist more specifically to Black and Latinx communities & specifically for this non-profit in the Chicago area. "Through the power of sport, our program promotes improved academic performance; positive relationships; development of social-emotional skills; and growth in physical and mental health." https://www.chicagorun.org/what-we-do
Growing up I was never involved in sports and I look at what extra curricular activities my children are now a part of and realized why: the cost. For children to be involved in extra curricular activities and more specifically sports they would need to be part of a family that can financially support this, and a geographic area that has these programs. I love what this non-profit stands for and how many young lives it can impact in the Chicago area which is far greater than just the physical aspect.
This is also a great video I came across:
Chicago Run empowers thousands of young people from Pre-K through high school with equitable access to inclusive running and physical activity programs. Through the power of sport, Chicago Run builds resilience to stress and trauma and develop social and emotional skills. Learn more here!
& if you've read this far
1. WOW LOOK AT YOU SUPPORTING ME BY JUST READING ALL OF THIS
2. Thank you so much for your time in even looking at my fundraiser page and blurb
3. I would greatly appreciate any donation amount
BYE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY :)
I am now asking for your support to
*DRUMROLL PLEASE*
1. Raise $1,500 for the non-profit Chicago Run in order to:
2. Participate in the Chicago Marathon in 2025
3. Run a 26.2 miles even after I told myself I would not be doing that again
Why I am asking for monetary assistance:
I will be completely honest and say I threw my name in for the lottery to see if I would be selected, and I was not. Basically there are limited slots for runners to participate in this marathon via lottery and I was not chosen. I took this as a sign that maybe I should just not run a marathon in 2025, but to be honest who am I kidding I was truly not a one and done for running a marathon.
If I wanted to run the Chicago Marathon the other option would be to run for a charity. I decided if I would run for a charity it would be one that resonates with me and that I would feel passionate about and that is Chicago Run. This non-profit was actually recommended by a fellow runner I met through Latinas Run during my first marathon in Savannah earlier this year and I am thankful for having learned about it.
So what is Chicago Run?
Chicago Run is a non-profit whose mission is to promote health and wellness to children in the Chicago area. They do this through during school and after school programs as well as being involved in the local community. More specifically they want to provide equitable access to running / physical activity for children in "low child opportunity areas" which makes up nearly half of all youth in Chicago.
What I found to be the most impactful:
I was reading as much as I could about this non-profit and the thing that resonated with me the most was their Equity Philosophy on their page found here but I will also insert a screenshot so it is all in one place.
https://www.chicagorun.org/core-values
My WHY and how this ties back into my passion for Geography:
I picked up running 13 years ago (S P O O K Y as I type this on Friday the 13th) as an adult, and it has helped my health in so many ways - not just physically but the most impactful way has been to my mental health. Running has shown me to overcome things that life throws my way, goal setting and commitment, and is truly a hobby I enjoy. Running for that serotonin boost always.
The Equity Philosophy above is very impactful to myself as I read it, and feel like it truly does tie into Geography and the various barriers that do exist more specifically to Black and Latinx communities & specifically for this non-profit in the Chicago area. "Through the power of sport, our program promotes improved academic performance; positive relationships; development of social-emotional skills; and growth in physical and mental health." https://www.chicagorun.org/what-we-do
Growing up I was never involved in sports and I look at what extra curricular activities my children are now a part of and realized why: the cost. For children to be involved in extra curricular activities and more specifically sports they would need to be part of a family that can financially support this, and a geographic area that has these programs. I love what this non-profit stands for and how many young lives it can impact in the Chicago area which is far greater than just the physical aspect.
This is also a great video I came across:
Chicago Run empowers thousands of young people from Pre-K through high school with equitable access to inclusive running and physical activity programs. Through the power of sport, Chicago Run builds resilience to stress and trauma and develop social and emotional skills. Learn more here!
& if you've read this far
1. WOW LOOK AT YOU SUPPORTING ME BY JUST READING ALL OF THIS
2. Thank you so much for your time in even looking at my fundraiser page and blurb
3. I would greatly appreciate any donation amount
BYE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY :)
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