If you’ve checked out my “Run” page lately, you might have noticed a new addition to my list of races for this year. I’m excited to share that I will be running the Chicago Marathon this year! AND, I’ll be running for a charity for the first time ever.
I have run so many races over the year — six marathons, seven half marathons and many more shorter distances. While I’ve run charity races before, I have never really focused on fundraising for a particular race. As I began thinking about my 2016 race goals late last year, I kept going back to the idea of running for charity. I wanted my next marathon to mean something a bit more than just personal gratification. So, I started researching a number of different charities. I knew I wanted to run Chicago and so I checked out the official charity partners for the race. There are a lot of charity partners and a lot of great organizations to choose from. I considered a number of different charities and eventually was deciding between Girls on the Run and Ronald McDonald House Charities. I went with RMHC because I have friends who have stayed at a Ronald McDonald House with their kids and had such a positive experience. That really made my decision easier. Also, I chatted some with Alaina at The Simple Peach, who had run for RMHC before and she gave me great insight.
So what does RMHC do? In short, RMHC provide a home away from home for families who are traveling for their child’s medical care. They provide a safe place for families to stay together during medical care, which allows families to travel to wherever they can receive the best care for their child without worrying about a costly hotel stay. The RMHC policy is to never turn a family away – families either stay at no cost or are asked to make a $25 donation – however, they are never turned away due to ability to pay. Think about if you had to travel to get your child treatment for an illness – how nice would it be to be able to house your family together in an upbeat environment with other families going through the same experience? I think that what RMHC does is amazing and I’m so honored to support this organization. You can learn more about the DC RMHC here.
I have committed to raising 1000 for RMHC, but I’m really hopeful that I can raise much more. I’m going to plan a fund raising event in DC over the summer, but in the interim I would be honored by your support. If you feel so inclined, you can support the Ronald McDonald House Charities by using this link. Thank you!
The Chicago Marathon is actually one of my bucket list races. I cant wait to hear all about your experience and I love that you are running for this awesome charity.
I am super super excited about the race & supporting an incredible cause 🙂
Congrats Courtney and how exciting! Ronald MCDonald house is amazing. Love that your doing this!
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Thanks Angie – I am really excited — I love running in Chicago & can’t wait for the marathon!
This is awesome! I ran a half marathon for Baltimore’s Kennedy Krieger Institute last year and it was so rewarding! Good luck in your fundraising and I’ll try to support you once I start my “big girl” job!
Awesome to hear that you enjoyed your charity running experience! And thank you for even considering supporting RMHC 🙂
This is great! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the Chicago Marathon and the Ronald McDonald Houses do such important work. I look forward to hearing more about what you think of running a race for charity 🙂
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Thanks – I’m so excited and will of course share my thoughts about the whole process!
RMHC is a great organization. One of my childhood friends received chemo and other treatments at St. Jude’s in Memphis when we were in high school, and her mom spent countless nights staying at the RM house in Memphis. (Sadly, she passed away a couple of months after graduation.) They provide so much support to children’s families and never receive enough thanks and support for all that they do.
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I am so sorry to read about your friend, Kathryn. I’m proud to help raise some money for this amazing charity, though!
I think this is truly incredible and I’m happy for you.
Thanks Hollie! I’m super excited 🙂
so nice that you’re running this for such a great charity! i’ve heard only good things about this race and might have to look into it one year. have fun training!
I can not WAIT to run Chicago 🙂
That’s so awesome, Courtney! I know it’s going to make that marathon finish even more meaningful 🙂
Thanks Victoria! 🙂
So cool Courtney! I love that you’re running for charity, and I’ve heard amazing things about the Chicago marathon!
Jen@bubblyrunner.com recently posted…Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 7
Me too – I’m so excited about Chicago and raising money for this amazing charity!!
I’m running for charity for the first time as well (St. Jude). I just started blogging about it since I’ll also be training for my first full along the way and need to be held accountable.
That’s awesome. St. Jude is amazing -way to go!
OMG. ME TOOO!!!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I’m not sure I’ve ever commented. I decided to run the Chicago Marathon this year, and I’ve known from the start I wanted to run for a charity. I chose RMHC for the same reasons you did – it was a place of hope and calmness for friends when they needed it most.
This will be my first marathon, and I’m SO excited. I haven’t talked about it on my blog yet…my announcement is coming next week, but it’s awesome to already know who one of my teammates is!!
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Yay! So happy to meet you, teammate! Can’t wait to take this journey together!!
RMHC does such great work! As someone who works for a non-profit, I can’t tell you how important are the funds raised by charity runners. Good on you for taking on this fundraising effort!
Thanks Michelle – I’m thrilled to support RMHC 🙂
This is awesome Courtney. RMHC is a great charity for your Chicago Marathon fundraising. We actually stayed at Ronald McDonald house in Indianapolis when Christine was a baby. It was such a great experience and we have donated to the charity since. I will be happy to support your cause once you have the link up.
I think RMHC does such incredible work and I’m so pleased to hear you had a good experience with them, Pam. Thank you SO much for your support!
That’s awesome!
I am running the Chicago Marathon too! It is an amazing race with an awesome course. You will LOVE it. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to meet.
That would be amazing!!!
You are seriously one of the best of the best. I hope you know that. <3
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I am speechless. Your kind words & love is amazing. Thank you, Carmy!!
The RMHC house in Little Rock, which supports the families of kiddos at Arkansas Childrens’ Hospital, is just amazing; I have done some volunteer collaboration with them and it’s such an incredible organization. I’m so thrilled that you are doing this and I know you’ll be a great partner with them for Chicago!! WOO HOO!!!
Oh thanks Tara – they really are an incredible organization and I’m so excited to support them!
You know how SUPER excited I am for you. I also looked at your schedule…I see Richmond Marathon as well! Woo 🙂
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Well — I probably will be dropping to the half because now I have a wedding here in DC that same day. Running the full would be cutting it a bit close… 🙂
Ahh right, I remember you mentioned in another post. I’m stoked I’ll finally run the half this year.
Sadly, I’ve reluctantly decided that running another marathon wouldn’t be a good idea for me. If I got into Chicago, I’d hoped to run the first half then run/walk the second half as needed, but I’ve really been struggling lately with anything over eight miles. I’m still going to plow through and hope to have a lot of fun at the Chicago Spring Half in late May, though!
I look forward to following your journey!
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I am saddened by this but it’s the right decision. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you – we need to meet up for a run sometime soon!!!
I’m excited for you to run Chicago! Hopefully we can meet up!
That’s a must! My new job’s headquartered in Chicago, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to spend a few days in town after the race, just working from the main office. 🙂
I CANNOT love this enough! You will love the experience. See you at the marathon!!
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So exciting!! And an AWESOME charity. So many families that I take care of in the hospital depend on RM while their child is in the hospital. Great idea!!
They are such a great organization!
Running a race for charity is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. I was amazed at how many friends and family members donated. It also helped me get over my pre race jitters when all I wanted to do was skip the race and go home. I was reminded of how much I had raised and that I was running for something more than myself.