Let me start off saying that I’m not a runner. I didn’t run in High School, didn’t run in college… my least favorite part of workouts when I did play team sports was running laps. I don’t run. Oh sure, I run to the store for a few things, I run to catch a train, and I’m always running late… but as a sport, I don’t run… well that is until this past April. That’s when I was challenged to run the Chicago Marathon on October 10th. I know, why on earth would someone who has never run decide to take on a 26.2 mile race (for those who might not know, that’s what a marathon is , 26.2 miles). Well it’s to save lives…not mine, but that of women and children in Africa.

Did you know that women and children in Africa walk an average of 6 miles a day to get water (that might not even be clean). Children often skip school because they have to serve their family by getting water. By raising money to dig wells in their communities, we are giving these families immediate access to clean water.

When a community gains access to clean water, here’s what happens:
> The infant mortality rate is cut in half
> Children can attend school instead of walking up to 6 miles for water each day
> Women can spend time learning a trade to support their family instead of collecting water
> Overall health is improved with clean water and sanitation
> Crops and livestock thrive with clean water and proper irrigation

So every Saturday morning, a group of about 30-40 great people gather in Algonquin at Cornish Park (and at other sites around Chicago) to train for the marathon. They run whether its cold, hot or raining (but they don’t run in lighting) and they do this to raise money to change lives in Africa. Last Saturday, we ran 23 miles (for some, their longest run ever) to prepare for the marathon. In a few weeks, we will be running 26 miles.Training with a group like Team World Vision has made all the difference in the world for a new runner like myself. They have a training program and a group of amazing volunteers to support the runners.

Visit our group site (copy the whole link below) and see if there is someone you know running and make a donation. Or, pick someone else (like me) and read their blog, post some encouraging comments, make a donation and help change some lives.

The marathon registration is closed, but if you are already registered, you can still sign up to run for a purpose with Team World Vision. We are also looking for volunteers to help support the runners on Saturday mornings.

For information about the Alqonquin training site, you can contact Jan Murray ( murraytjm@aol.com ) or 847-997-8856

So, if you see someone running with an orange Team World Vision shirt on, cheer them on and know that they are out there running with a purpose.