Run for Your Life — Miami Half Marathon Wrap Up

As I’ve previously related, I have set the personal goal of running a half marathon as a participant in the CCFA (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America*) Team Challenge. Unfortunately due to a series of health issues related to Crohn’s disease, I was unable to run in Team Challenge’s inaugural events.

Lots of other dedicated people, however, did join Team Challenge for the ING Miami Half Marathon this past Sunday. A total of 217 participants (including several dozen individuals who suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) ran or walked 13.1 miles and raised over $1 million dollars for inflammatory bowel disease research. And those numbers represent the work of just 6 CCFA chapters (out of more than 40 in the U.S.) and a single “virtual team.” To put that in perspective, that translates to $77,000 raised for each and every mile of the half marathon, not to mention how much awareness was raised about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Even though I was unable to run in Miami, I was fortunate enough to be there as a spectator and show my support for the Team Challenge participants — including my wife Priya who ran and finished on my behalf. Regarding my goal of personally running a half marathon, I learned while in Miami that the next Team Challenge event where I potentially can participate is the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon on November 16, 2008. After missing out on running in Miami, I’m even more committed to achieving this goal. And with your support, I will succeed.

Finally, a word of thanks to all of you who donated in support of Priya’s recent run in Miami. Thank you, Alice, Allan, Anna, Becky, Beth, Bob, Bob & Diane, Bob & Pam, Bratati, Brian, Candy, Carl & Meg, Carol, Cynthia, Deaduri, Debbie, Debjani, Deborah, Diane, Ed, Gary, Gee, Geert & Floor, Harp, Jacqueline, Jeff, Jim, John, Julie, Ken, Lisa, Mary Ann, Paul, Phil & Marilyn, Ray, Rebecca, Roberto & Karen, Samir, Samudra, Sandra, Scott, Stephanie, Sue, Sue & Jim, Traci & Joe, Walt and anyone else I’ve missed! You rock!

Read Run for Your Life — Part 1 (October 11, 2007)
Read Run for Your Life — Part 2  (October 11, 2007)
Read Run for Your Life — Update  (November 26, 2007)

To learn more about CCFA’s Team Challenge Program, or to sign up to participate in a future Team Challenge half marathon, visit: www.ccteamchallenge.org

Even though the ING Miami Half Marathon is over for 2008, you still can visit Priya’s Team Challenge web page and show your support at: www.active.com/donate/MI08WISC/seepriyarun

*The best source for information about Crohn’s disease is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, also known as CCFA. CCFA is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. CCFA recently opened an Information Resource Center that provides accurate, current, disease-related information to the public, health care professionals, and patients and their families. The CCFA Information Resource Center can be reached at: 888.694.8872. The CCFA website is www.ccfa.org.