<div>I am so excited to share that on October 11, 2026, I’ll be running the Chicago Marathon, my very first 26.2 miles! This has been a lifelong goal, a true bucket-list dream, and another opportunity to challenge myself and see just how far I can go.
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<div>I chose Chicago not just because it’s one of the world’s most iconic races, but because the city holds personal meaning for me. It’s home to Central Marine Logistics, the company I proudly work for, and through my work and time spent there, the Great Lakes region has started to feel like home. Running through Chicago will feel like running through a part of my own story. But as excited as I am to run Chicago, I’m even more excited about who I’m running for.
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<div>I’m incredibly honored to be running on behalf of The Steve Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people. As a proud first-generation Mexican American, their mission is especially meaningful to me. I believe every young person deserves access to mental health support, a safe space to talk about what they’re going through, and the tools they need to thrive and establish a strong foundation. Our youth are our future, and investing in their mental health is one of the most important things we can do.
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<div>Mental health is also something I’ve come to value more and more in my own life. Life can be beautiful, messy, demanding, and overwhelming all at the same time. I’ve learned that taking care of our mental health isn’t something we should wait to do until we’re struggling. It’s something worth actively protecting. Running has become one of the ways I protect mine. Running has given me space to think, process, reset, and remind myself that I can do hard things. It has taught me that strength isn’t always about feeling strong. Sometimes strength is simply continuing to show up.
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<div>That feels especially meaningful in this season of my life as I raise three young children, build a career, and manage the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Somewhere in the middle of taking care of everyone else, I’m learning that making time to take care of myself matters too. Even writing this and taking a moment to reflect on this part of my life makes me emotional and incredibly proud. Training for a marathon in the middle of all of that isn’t always easy. Sometimes the hardest part is simply finding the time to get out the door. There are miles when I feel unstoppable and others when I wonder how I’m ever going to make it 26.2.
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<div>And then I remember why I’m doing this. I want my children to see a mom who wasn’t afraid to set ambitious goals and know that you must work hard to reach your goals. I want them to know that you can have responsibilities, a career, people who depend on you, and a very full life and still make room to dream big, challenge yourself, and prioritize your mental and physical well-being.
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<div>I also hope that message reaches beyond my own children. I hope sharing this journey can inspire other young people, especially young people of color and young women, to believe that big goals belong to them too. Representation matters to me. If someone sees a little of themselves in my story and thinks, maybe I can do that too, every early morning and hard training mile will mean even more.
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<div>More than anything, I want my children and the young people I’m running for to know that mental health is something we talk about, protect, and prioritize. Asking for help is okay. Taking care of yourself matters. Being strong doesn’t mean you have to carry everything alone.
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<div>I’m incredibly grateful for all of the support I’ve received so far. Every donation, share, and word of encouragement helps me continue raising funds and awareness for The Steve Fund and a mission I truly believe in. As I make my way toward Chicago and those 26.2 miles, I hope to continue building support and making every mile count for something bigger than myself. If you’d like to be part of this journey, I would be incredibly grateful. Whether it’s a donation, sharing this page, sending some encouragement, or simply cheering me on during the miles ahead, it means more to me than you know.
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<div>On October 11, I’ll be running for The Steve Fund, for young people who deserve to know their mental health matters, for my three little ones watching me chase a big and slightly crazy dream, for my Great Lakes maritime community, and for anyone who needs the reminder that we are capable of doing hard things, one step at a time.
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<div>26.2 miles. Three little people watching. One cause worth running for.
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<div>Chicago, here I come! ‍
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Samuel Elzinga

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Miles for a Mission: Vanessa Runs Chicago for the Steve Fund

Miles for a Mission: Vanessa Runs Chicago for the Steve Fund

Still $2,615 to go. Help us build momentum.