Jamie's 100K run towards COVID-19 solidarity
Donation protected
We are all affected by the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Living in the city of Chicago, where we are currently under a shelter in place, I've had many friends lose their jobs, worry about what tomorrow might bring, and live in fear about the health of their loved ones.
As a member of the Chicago running community, it's been hard having races cancelled/postponed. Local races, world marathon majors, all the way up to the grand stage of the Olympics. Athletes train for months and years towards a big goal, and this is definitely tough news. But in the grand scheme of what's going on in the world, we must take a step back, be grateful for our health, and do our part to help flatten the curve.
This Spring, I had plans to run the Mad City 100k in Madison, Wisconsin. A unique road ultra marathon and my first attempt at the distance. As races began getting cancelled, I stayed cautiously optimistic, but knew it was only a matter of time before it got cancelled/postponed. With the new date currently set for this November, I've still found so much joy and gratitude in running over the past few months. As runs with friends turned into solo runs, the shutdown of the lakefront trail turned into exploration of new parts of the city, this time has reminded me of why I run.
In my build up towards the 100k, I completed a solo 50k on the lakefront trail without a fancy finish line, no crowd support, just the pure motivation to get outside and be my best. Some may call it the loneliness of the long distance runner, while recently it has felt like the new normal.
I'm currently training as if I was racing in a few weeks. On April 18th, I will run a solo 100k. I've been so fortunate that I still "get to" do this, and I'm running it because "I can." Running can often be a selfish endeavor of personal bests. This time, I wanted to use my running in a way to help support something more than just myself, and inspire others to do the same.
The World Health Organization is currently leading a global effort to prevent, detect, and respond to the pandemic. I will be running to help raise funds for COVID-19 solidarity. Donations will support WHO's work to track and understand the spread of the virus, to ensure patients get the care they need and workers get essential supplies, and to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments.
http://covid19responsefund.org
Any support is greatly appreciated. It's an unprecedented health challenge, and we will get through this together. One step at a time.
As a member of the Chicago running community, it's been hard having races cancelled/postponed. Local races, world marathon majors, all the way up to the grand stage of the Olympics. Athletes train for months and years towards a big goal, and this is definitely tough news. But in the grand scheme of what's going on in the world, we must take a step back, be grateful for our health, and do our part to help flatten the curve.
This Spring, I had plans to run the Mad City 100k in Madison, Wisconsin. A unique road ultra marathon and my first attempt at the distance. As races began getting cancelled, I stayed cautiously optimistic, but knew it was only a matter of time before it got cancelled/postponed. With the new date currently set for this November, I've still found so much joy and gratitude in running over the past few months. As runs with friends turned into solo runs, the shutdown of the lakefront trail turned into exploration of new parts of the city, this time has reminded me of why I run.
In my build up towards the 100k, I completed a solo 50k on the lakefront trail without a fancy finish line, no crowd support, just the pure motivation to get outside and be my best. Some may call it the loneliness of the long distance runner, while recently it has felt like the new normal.
I'm currently training as if I was racing in a few weeks. On April 18th, I will run a solo 100k. I've been so fortunate that I still "get to" do this, and I'm running it because "I can." Running can often be a selfish endeavor of personal bests. This time, I wanted to use my running in a way to help support something more than just myself, and inspire others to do the same.
The World Health Organization is currently leading a global effort to prevent, detect, and respond to the pandemic. I will be running to help raise funds for COVID-19 solidarity. Donations will support WHO's work to track and understand the spread of the virus, to ensure patients get the care they need and workers get essential supplies, and to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments.
http://covid19responsefund.org
Any support is greatly appreciated. It's an unprecedented health challenge, and we will get through this together. One step at a time.
Organizer
Jamie Hershfang
Organizer
Chicago, IL
