Published Saturday, December 27, 2008 in Opinions section of the Tempe Republic section of the Arizona Republic as “Help those in need by sponsoring a marathon runner”
Why am I running a half marathon?
I regularly bicycle 10 to 30 miles a day, but the longest I’ve ever run before this year was just two miles.
I’m not doing it for Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman who does a great job recruiting business sponsors for charities that put together ten runners. I don’t do it for Elaine Anawalt, our muscular triathlete at the Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), who took one look at me, the person who arrives at board meetings by bicycle, and thought “runner.” I’m not even doing it for myself, though it’s a nice counterbalance to the tons of calorie-laden treats I run into at parties this time of year.
I do it to help Tempe residents meet basic needs, because every dollar people contribute to runners like me goes to them. Read the rest of this entry »