26.2 for $26,200 - Running London Marathon for the DAAA

I'll do my best to keep this short (pun intended) but no promises :) On April 27th, I will be running in the London Marathon with a goal to raise $26,200 for the Dwarf Athletic Association of America. That is $1,000 per mile. At the same time, I hope to run this marathon in 4 hours and 20 minutes, becoming one of the fastest little people to complete this distance.

The Dwarf Athletic Association of America is a non-profit organization that provides sporting competitions for individuals with dwarfism. If you're having trouble picturing it, think about the intensity, spirit, and joy of the Olympic Games happening every year for people with dwarfism. For one week, athletes from across the United States and even the globe come together to compete against one another on an equal playing field. I have been lucky to participate in this organization since 2006 and credit it for the passion I have for athletics to this day. Simply put, this marathon is one way in which I can give back to an organization that has given me so much. However, without fundraising and donations, these games cannot occur for generations to come.

Running this marathon is a dream that is coming true before my eyes and something I would not have imagined doing if you asked my younger self. Running used to be something I despised. It used to be something I feared and would make me sick to my stomach at the thought. As a young athlete who played competitive soccer, running often came at the beginning and end of training sessions, as either a form of warmup or a form of punishment. Every run, I already knew what the result would be – my teammates would lap me, and I would finish alone.

However, it was through the DAAA that I began to accept my difference and found joy in what I could do versus what I could not do. Fast forward 15+ years later, and running is no longer something I hate but rather I (oddly ha ha ) crave to do more and more. I no longer run comparing myself against others but rather run the race that is in front of me. That’s the goal, to run my race. Not the race of anyone else. In doing so, I hope to remind others that God has given us all a difference to make a difference in this world. If you are able to join me in this endeavor through a monetary donation, it would be very much appreciated as we provide an opportunity for future DAAA athletes to find joy in sport.

If you want to learn more about the DAAA, please watch the video below to see the spirit of the DAAA games. Note that all donations made through this campaign will be forwarded in its entirety to the DAAA with no financial benefit to Kevin Cekanor.