Run or Walk Veterans USA - Honoring Military Service 5k - November 8, at Bunker Hills Park in Andover, MN

Run or walk or volunteer at the 5th Annual Veterans USA - Honoring Military Service 5k at Bunker Hills Regional Park, Andover, MN, Sunday, November 8 - 9 AM start. (Note: Veterans Day is 11/11 as it is every year.)

For more inspiring event information and registration options go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/veterans_day_usa1.html

Pre-register soon for the lowest entry fee; pre-registration closes Thursday, Nov 5, or sooner if 300 limited entries are received.

1. Indoor registration and post-race party area in park’s lovely, warm and welcoming Activities Center right next to start/finish line.

2. Start/finish line right alongside inspiring Veterans Memorial

3. USATF certified 5k course and pro-timing & race results and records

4. Photographic record with fabulous post-event online slideshow displaying “Miles of Smiles”

5. Commemorative Veterans Day - Honoring Military Service 5k shirts

6. Americana motivational music & announcer

7. CC Race Event Worker CCREW volunteers’ hospitality, lively camaraderie & healthful, tasty refreshments

8. A pocket size Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. (CC’s Americana Heritage Events are the only known races in America giving away these historic, world-changing USA founding documents.)

9. Optional added donations welcome to benefit vets programs of Team Red, White and Blue Minnesota
10. Opportunity to meet, greet & say “Thanks for your service” to active duty, former and retired military family and friends from all military branches.

Run, Walk or Volunteer - Challenge Aging 5k @ Andover, MN, Sunday, Sept 27

Walk, run or actively volunteer for the 9^th Annual Challenge Aging 5k Event, Sunday, September 27, at Bunker Hills Regional Park, Andover, MN, 9 AM Start.

For more information including online registration option go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_aging.html

The Challenge Aging 5k will serve again as the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) MN State 5k Championship! At the event page you will find details about the eight championship medals that will be earned by four different age divisions, other important event news, and articles about successful aging with exercise.

We'll Party in the Park with amazing athletes of all ages leading the way into advancing ages!

We'll celebrate:

1. A unique “Celebrating Strength and Successful Aging” Theme.

2. The inspiration of running and walking with truly remarkable and inspiring “Well-Aged Athletes” demonstrating The Power of RxExercise to improve lives throughout all our years.

3. Unique Bib Numbers Assignment: Bib #s will be going in inverse order of pre-registered athletes’ ages. (So far, #1 will be worn by a man age 81!)

4. Earning a one-of-a-kind-in-America road racing “Challenge Aging 5k” commemorative t-shirt.

5. USATF Certified 5k course race results according to complete USATF divisions. 

6. Motivational Challenge Aging theme music and announcer

7. Enthusiastic CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers. NOTE: Whenever you may not be racing, please join our Rewarding CCREW volunteers. RSVP with me by e-mail or phone to join our happy CCREW.

8. Photography and unique post-race online “Miles of Smiles” slideshow.

9. Convenient, free parking; indoor restrooms, registration, post-race party, healthful, tasty refreshments in park's lovely Activities Center next to start/finish line. Indoor party also has big-screen slideshow/music.
10. Stay after race at park to continue your own family/friends picnic in lovely Activities Center gardens.

Why “Challenge Aging”?

The BAD NEWS: Because advancing age beyond age 35 is highly related to increasing adverse risks to health and happiness of “Usual Aging”.

“Usual Aging”, according to gerontologists, involves a variety of serious challenges to health and happiness and even good relationships.

“Usual Aging” is how most people age...badly and sadly.

The GOOD NEWS: Alternatively, we each can choose to actively pursue what gerontologists call “Successful Aging”.

There are a variety of personal habits that contribute to successful aging. But, one habit is paramount: Exercise.

Strength through exercise is the major variable in “Successful Aging”.

Note: “Real Aging” for physically fit & athletic individuals after age 40 is slowed to ¼ the rate of “Usual Aging” effects in sedentary individuals.

Active athletes are really younger than their chronological years and tend to be happier-healthier than sedentary individuals.

Exercise is a big part of why, for example, my own “Real Age” is 53, ten years younger than my chronological age of 63.

How would you like to be ten, or twenty, years younger than your advancing chronological age?

Go to visit CC’s Challenge Aging 5k page http://charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_aging.html  and find links to online programs that allow you to estimate your real age, and then come Saturday to celebrate your youthfulness through your RxExercise.

Half-way-to St Patrick's Day 5k @ Claddagh Irish Pub, Maple Grove, MN

You’re invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge 1st Annual Half-way-to St Patrick’s Day 5k experience Sunday, Sept 13, around the  Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant in Maple, Grove MN; start time 9 AM.

Pre-register early for lowest entry fee http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/1-2_way_to_st_patrick-s_day_5k.html

300 limited pre-registration entries. PRE_REGISTER SOON! Don't miss out on the happiest Irish-honoring road race and post-race party half way between St Patrick's Day.

The Half-way-to St Patrick Day 5k theme is “Celebrating Active Friendship-Love-Loyalty All the Way” the 3 traditions of the Irish Claddagh ring.

Enjoy all the following values for early pre-registration fee of just $34.

1. Complimentary post-race Irish Breakfast, beer, hot and cold light beverages, live Irish music, inside Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant next to the start/finish line.

2. Colorful, classy commemorative St Patrick’s Irish Traditions 5k shirt.

3. Happy Irish holiday music & announcer.

3. Professional timing/scoring on USATF certified 5k course

5. Fabulous online photos slideshow with free digital photos (Join Charities Challenge at Facebook, too!)

6. Liveality online personalized photos memory books & optional printed photos books for purchase

7. Irish Traditions welcoming hospitality by CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers (join our rewarding CCREW anytime).

8. Be Lucky! Join CC’s RxExercise Ambassador Team & Travel CC Team-expenses-paid, to Dublin, Ireland next August to run or walk the 4th Annual Rock 'n' Roll Dublin Half Marathon http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/train-n-_travel.html

Irish style holiday colors and costumes encouraged! And personally motivating messages on a wearable sign are also encouraged. Imagine running or walking with a friend who’s wearing a sign displaying a personally inspiring message, “Active Loyal/Loving/Friend to ______________________”, and your name is there for all to see.

Imagine how a special friend will be encouraged to take better care of their happiness & health with their own RxExercise when they see you displaying your motivational sign that keeps you running and staying strong. Yes! Active Friendship-Love-Loyalty All the Way motivates motion as well as e-motion!

So show your Active Friendship-Love-Loyalty as you share your running & walking together at the Half-way-to St Patrick's Day 5k.

More CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers are always welcome to join us in delivering another special Holiday Run Event. RSVP with CC Coach Gary Westlund at GaryWestlund@aol.com or call 612-245-9160 if you want to join our Rewarding CCREW. You’ll also earn super CCREWARDs for volunteering, including credits toward travel with an RxExercise Ambassador Team to Great Destinations like Dublin, Ireland!

Run or Walk Saturday, Aug 15 - Challenge Cancer 5k @ Bunker Hills Park, Andover, MN

You're invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s very special 11^th Annual Challenge Cancer 5k event at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN, Saturday, August 15, starting at 8:30 AM.

For more information including online registration option go to www.charitieschallenge.org Pre-register today!

Registration includes:

A) “Celebrating Active Cancer Survivors” energized atmosphere

B) Commemorative “Celebrating Active Cancer Survivors” shirt

C) USATF Certified 5k course race results according to complete USATF divisions

D) Motivational Challenge Cancer theme music & announcer

E) Enthusiastic CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers. NOTE: Whenever you may not be racing, please join our Rewarding CCREW volunteers. RSVP with me by e-mail or phone to join our happy CCREW.

F) Photography and unique post-race online “Miles of Smiles” slideshow

G) Healthful, tasty refreshments

H) Convenient, free parking & indoor registration, post-race party & restrooms
I) Convenient, free parking next to start/finish line and park's Activities Center
J) Indoor Bunker Hills Park's Activities Center registration and post-race refreshments party with big-screen slideshow/music.
K) Stay after race at park to continue your own family/friends picnic in lovely Activities Center gardens.

Because of their commitment to their RxExercise, before and after their cancer challenges, many have better survived and are continuing to make happier, stronger comebacks to a better quality of life. These Challenged Honored Athletes will inspire each of us to maintain our own RxExercise.

We’ll especially be celebrating, and learning from, the improved quality of life of several “Cancer-Challenged Honored Athletes” who are living well beyond cancer challenges because of their RxExercise.

Please refer to CC and the Challenge Cancer Event anyone you know whom we may celebrate as they continue their comeback from cancer challenges.

Learn more about the Power of RxExercise relative to cancer challenges from the “Cancer News &  RxExercise” article at the CC web site http://www.charitieschallenge.org/CC_Challenge_Cancer_-__RxEx.pdf

Only about 20% of cancer patients are enjoying the special benefits of exercise. Most non-exercisers report a lack of exercise leadership programs and opportunities designed for cancer patients/survivors. So, you’re helping cancer patients and survivors today and every day by supporting Charities Challenge ongoing RxExercise Programs and Events like the Challenge Cancer 5k where we celebrate active cancer survivors who are “More Than Survivors”.

Challenge Addiction 5k - Saturday, Aug 1, 8:30 AM @ Bunker Hills Regional Park, Andover, MN

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 5th Annual Challenge Addiction 5k Event at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN, next Saturday, August 1, starting at 8:30 AM. For more information including online registration option go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_addiction_5k.html Pre-register today!

Registration includes:

A) “Celebrating Active Recovery” happy atmosphere

B) Commemorative “Celebrating Active Recovery” shirt

C) Race results according to complete USATF divisions

D) Special guests from MN Recovery Programs

E) Compete for Challenge Addiction 5k Records

F) Motivational Challenge Addiction theme music

G) Enthusiastic CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers. NOTE: Please join our Rewarding CCREW volunteers whenever you may not be racing. RSVP by e-mail GaryWestlund@aol.com or phone 612-245-9160 to join our happy CCREW.

H) Complimentary photography and unique post-race online “Miles of Smiles” slideshow

I) Healthful, tasty refreshments

J) Convenient, free parking next to start/finish line and park's Activities Center
K) Indoor Bunker Hills Park's Activities Center registration and post-race refreshments party with big-screen slideshow/music.

L) Stay after race at park to continue your own family/friends picnic in lovely Activities Center gardens.

Because of their commitment to their own RxExercise regimen many enjoy happier, stronger long term addiction recovery to a better quality of daily life. Addiction-Challenged Honored Athletes will inspire each of us to maintain our own stronger hearts and minds with our own RxExercise.

Please refer to CC and the Challenge Addiction Event anyone you know that we may celebrate as they continue their successful recovery beyond addiction challenges.

Come meet and cheer and encourage each of our Addiction-Challenged Honored Athletes, and everyone who is racing to fill their exercise prescription. Brilliant! http://www.charitieschallenge.org/

Charities Challenge Has Moved All Its Road Races and Events to New Suburban Locations

Below is what appeared at Charities Challenge Facebook group page on April 11, 2015 as the answer I posted in answer to a question about what's happened that Charities Challenge has moved its RxExercise - Exercise as Medicine run/walk events to northern Twin Cities suburbs (please join our Facebook group page to enjoy ongoing RxExercise news and events news, as well as to express your thoughts and questions  https://www.facebook.com/groups/41310607820/ ):

No more permits from St Paul Parks for Charities Challenge. So, CC has moved on to other warmly welcoming locations outside of St Paul.

Please understand that I'm looking forward, not looking back.

I'm very grateful to the faithful Charities Challenge Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers, events partners, and so many runner/walker participants who are already making the happy move to our other welcoming locations in Andover and Maple Grove. Our new locations include our new USATF certified courses.

After 10 years of 140+ CC events in St Paul Parks, below is an e-mail from St Paul Parks representative I received in December:

"I’m contacting you to inform you that on January 2nd we will not issue any permits to you or any representative of Charities Challenge for the 2015 permit season. It has been determined that the number of events for which you seek park permits exceeds what we consider reasonable.This does not mean you will be excluded from permits in 2015. Please contact me after January 2nd to schedule a meeting date to discuss your proposed events for 2015 and to determine the most appropriate manner in which to work with your organization."

I did pursue on behalf of CC a meeting with St Paul Parks representatives. One meeting was granted in January that resulted in our February 14 permit for our Valentines 5k. No more meetings with me about Charities Challenge being considered for St Paul Park permits were offered. By the end of February, with no more meetings offered, CC had to move on to other welcoming parks locations.

I'm pleased to report that the City of Maple Grove Parks and Police Departments, and Anoka County Parks, have been very helpfully welcoming to Charities Challenge. I am very pleased with the good personal and professional relationships I'm enjoying with these agencies. CC is getting a great and helpful reception. Hooray!

We're looking forward to rebuilding our events' attractiveness to more runners/walkers, many past participants and many new, to locations that include lovely indoor reception areas with entertainment, convenient and safe parking, gorgeous forested park paths in Andover, and unmatched hospitality and breakfasts at Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant in Maple Grove.

Check out photos from our new locations under CC's home page "Recent Events" section. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

The St Patrick's Irish Traditions 5k in Maple Grove and Easter Sunday - Rise 'n' Shine 5k in Bunker Hills Regional Park images will show off "Miles of Smiles" and post-race happiness over fabulous hospitality.

Go runners & race walkers!

P.S. CC continues to enjoy a great relationship with the St Paul Police permits group for our Lederhosenlauf 5k in St Paul every June. That permit involves no St Paul Parks so we're very good to go with our 8th Annual Lederhosenlauf 5k on Saturday, June 13. A great and street safe event with the Germanic-American Institute. Wunderbar! http://www.charitieschallenge.org/.../lederhosenlauf_5k.html

Coach Gary Westlund, Charities Challenge Founder/President
American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist
USA Track and Field Level 2 Certified Coach
A hopeful and happy guy

Challenge Happiness 5k - The Only Happiness Road Race in America - Saturday, April 18, Bunker Hills Regional Park, Andover, MN

The Only Happiness Road Race in the USA experience is in Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN, next Saturday, April 18!

5k Event Records, Photos & more very happy and helpful info here http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_happiness_5k.html Pre-register now!

You're invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge 4^th Annual Challenge Happiness 5k experience at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN Saturday April 18, 9 AM start.

The event theme is: “Actively Pursuing Happiness”.

Enjoy all the following added values:

1. Commemorative Challenge Happiness 5k shirt.

2. Happy music & announcer to give you a motivating shout-out.

3. Timing/scoring/records.

4. Fabulous online photos slideshow with free digital photos for you & Facebook. (Join Charities Challenge at Facebook, too!)

5. Indoor reception & post-race gathering in Activity Center; free and convenient parking.

6. Healthful tasty treats.

7. Happy CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers.

8. Motivating memories shared with family/friends of how you improved your own and others’ happiness, health & wellness by happily going the distance together.

9 AM Start - Race day registration & check-in opens at 8 AM.

Learn more about how "Happiness is a Serious Challenge" and how to "Train & Race for Happiness" at the event page, for yourself and your family & friends.

Timed/scored 5k on USATF certified course around beautiful, blooming Como Lake

Recognition: Complete 5k results by USATF Youth, Open, Masters (5-year age groups > age 40-80+)

Added values: Happy commemorative race shirt, CC hospitality, announcer, photos slideshow, motivational music & healthful tasty treats for all event participants.

This is the 1st in CC’s 2015 Life Challenge Series of 8x 5k Events highlighting RxExercise relative to life health challenges.

Learn more about the entire 8x 5k Life Challenge Series and more about “RxExercise and Happiness” at www.CharitiesChallenge.org or call 612-245-9160.

Defeat Depression & Anger with RxExercise. RxExercise is effective in improving mild-to-moderate depression challenges, and even changing anger into joy!

Consult a physician for medical advice regarding depression, including when you choose to add/increase exercise, and especially if you choose to eliminate exercise from your life.

Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k @ Bunker Hills Regional Park, Andover, MN, Sunday April 5

You’re invited to the 8^th Annual “Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k” experience in Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN Sunday, April 20, 9 AM start.

For more inspiring “Easter Sunday – Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k” Event information & registration options go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/easter_sunday_rise_-n_shine_5k.html

The Easter Sunday 5k theme is: “Actively Celebrating Life”.

You’re invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge 8^th Annual “Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k” experience at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN Sunday, April 5, 9 AM start.

The Easter Sunday 5k theme is: “Actively Celebrating Life”.

Enjoy all the following added values:

1. Commemorative Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k shirt.

2. Happy holiday music & announcer, to give you a motivating shout-out.

3. Timing/scoring/records.

4. Fabulous online photos slideshow with free digital photos for you & Facebook. (Join Charities Challenge at Facebook, too!)

5. Indoor reception & post-race gathering in Activity Center.

6. Healthful tasty treats.

7. Happy CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers.

8. “Miles of Smiles” & Easter-time holiday costumes encouraged!

9. Motivating memories shared with family/friends of how you improved your own and others’ happiness, health & wellness by going the distance together on Easter Sunday morning.

Activity is evidence of life, and more activity is evidence of more life!

Movement, regular vigorous movement, is a sure sign of life. Be More Alive - Be More Active! Rise ‘n’ Shine with families & friends walking ‘n’ running through beautifully forested Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover, MN on Easter morning!

Easter Sunday will be a special CC Holiday Run occasion for so many of us sharing in the Power of RxExercise improving the quality of our lives every day, and demonstrating how our relationships with family and friends are happily improved through the irreplaceable happy-health benefits of walking and/or running together with an ever-growing number of healthy-happy active friends.

Participation in the Easter Sunday 5k continues to serve and celebrate the lives of each of us who benefit from sharing with one another our own regular RxExercise, while continuing to serve others’ health and wellness by our active support of Charities Challenge RxExercise Mission, Programs, Events and Active Partnerships.

St Patrick's Irish Traditions 5k @ Claddagh Irish Pub, Maple Grove, MN

You’re invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge 7^th Annual St Patrick’s Irish Traditions 5k experience Sunday, March 15, around the  Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant in Maple, Grove MN; start time 9 AM.

Pre-register early for lowest entry fee http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/st__pats_5k.html

500 limited pre-registration entries. PRE_REGISTER SOON! Don't miss out on the happiest Irish-honoring road race and post-race party.

The St Patrick Irish Traditions 5k theme is “Celebrating Active Friendship-Love-Loyalty” the 3 traditions of the Irish Claddagh ring.

Enjoy all the following values for early pre-registration fee of just $34.

1. Complimentary post-race Irish Breakfast, beer, 2 Gingers, hot and cold light beverages, live Irish music, inside Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant near the start/finish line.

2. Colorful, classy commemorative St Patrick’s Irish Traditions 5k shirt.

3. Happy Irish holiday music & announcer.

3. Professional timing/scoring by www.WayzataResults.com

5. Fabulous online photos slideshow with free digital photos for (Join Charities Challenge at Facebook, too!)

6. Liveality online personalized photos memory books & optional printed photos books for purchase

7. Irish Traditions welcoming hospitality by CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers (join our rewarding CCREW anytime).

8. Be Lucky! Join CC’s RxExercise Ambassador Team & Travel, CC Team-expenses-paid, to Dublin, Ireland in August to run or walk the 3rd Annual Rock 'n' Roll Dublin Half Marathon http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/train-n-_travel.html

Irish style holiday colors and costumes encouraged! And personally motivating messages on a wearable sign are also encouraged. Imagine running or walking with a friend who’s wearing a sign displaying a personally inspiring message, “Active Loyal/Loving/Friend to ______________________”, and your name is there for all to see.

Imagine how a special friend will be encouraged to take better care of their happiness & health with their own RxExercise when they see you displaying your motivational sign that keeps you running and staying strong. Yes! Active Friendship-Love-Loyalty motivates motion as well as e-motion!

So show your Active Friendship-Love-Loyalty as you share your running & walking together at the St Pat’s Irish Traditions 5k.

More CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers are always welcome to join us in delivering another special Holiday Run Event. RSVP with CC Coach Gary Westlund at GaryWestlund@aol.com or call 612-245-9160 if you want to join our Rewarding CCREW. You’ll also earn super CCREWARDs for volunteering, including credits toward travel with an RxExercise Ambassador Team to Great Destinations like Dublin, Ireland!