Running Hope Through America – TALON Region Dates
Posted by David Hanenburg on 14 Apr 2010 at 12:22 pm | Tagged as: regional trail running or ultrarunning news
To attempt 50 miles – 50 states – 2 months.
Huge challenge – Great cause!
Do you want to be a part of something huge?
That involves running.
With a goal of helping millions of children around the globe, including here in the United States.
Running Hope Through America (RHTA) is coming to your state!
Tell Me More
From April 19th to June 19th, ultra athlete, Lisa Smith-Batchen, will attempt to run 50 miles in all 50 states as a means to raise funds (100%) for the following three charities:
- The Orphan Foundation of America – Creates scholarship funds for teens waging out of the foster care system. This includes college scholarships, connecting with mentors and internships, and sending them care packages. Charity efficiency: 91 cents out of every dollar goes directly to support OFA programs and youth.
- AIDS Orphans Rising – Supports children in multiple countries who have lost both parents to AIDS. “The program is unique in that it does more than just provide shelter and food to the orphans. The project teaches the oldest child the skills they need to be not only self-sufficient, but to be able to provide for their family while teaching the younger siblings in schools.”
- Caring House Project – The foundation’s primary objective is to provide housing, food, water, medical support and opportunity for the desperately homeless around the world. It also helps to develop a system of self-sufficiency for these communities.
Who is Lisa Smith-Batchen
Idaho resident, Lisa Smith-Batchen, has been a top endurance athlete for at least the last 13+ years.
Just a few of her athletic accomplishments include:
- Completed nine Badwater Ultramarathons (First place – Twice!)
- Won the Marathon des Sables Ultramarathon (1998 – First and only American female to win the event to date.)
- 35 Ultramarathons over 50 miles
- Completed over 90 marathons
You can also check out her inspiring and long endurance sports highlight list on her bio page.
Besides her athletic accomplishments Lisa is also a mother, wife, coach, race director, and huge fundraiser and supporter of children in need around the world. I am sure I am stilling missing something from this list but you get the idea. She goes BIG in all areas of life!
Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club – The main site of Lisa’s endurance sports life.
How to Get Involved?
RHTA has a few ways in which you can be a part of this experience that begins on April 19th.
Donate
If Lisa’s charity recipients and endurance challenge connects with you in some way, consider a tax-deductible donation to be part of Lisa’s $1,000,000 goal. Donate page
Run with Lisa
Lisa will be in the TALON region through the middle portion of this huge endurance challenge. As with many ultra endurance events, the middle segment of a race is beyond the new and exciting stage, yet too far from seeing the end. We are in no-man’s-land which can be a tough place to be. I am sure Lisa would be most grateful for all those that would be interested in running a few miles or just provide a smiling face.
The TALON RHTA dates (per the RTHA website):
- Louisiana - Wed, May 12
- Arkansas (Little Rock) – Fri, May 14
- Oklahoma (Tulsa) – Sat, May 15 – Check out the TATUR site for some local contact info.
- Texas (Dallas) – Sun, May 16
- New Mexico (Albuquerque t0 Rio Rancho Loop) – Fri, June 4
Each run will start at 5:30 am and consist of loops so you can join in for some or all of the experience. If you plan to run some miles with Lisa, you can sign-up (for free) using the Join The Run links on the Schedule page. It is recommended that you be be self-sufficient. There is no guarantee of support being available.
There will probably be some help needed at each location as well, but all the information isn’t available yet for our region. I will let you know once I know more information.
How to follow the Journey
Televised Kick-off
This Friday, Lisa Smith-Batchen will be interviewed on ABC’s Good Morning America as part of the kick-off celebration and awareness promotion of this incredible journey. Be sure to check it out if you can.
Be active – Feel the buzz!
David – EnduranceBuzz.com
Spread the Buzz!
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