Run or Walk Challenge Diabetes 5k Event at Como Lake, St Paul, Saturday, June 29

Run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 8^th Annual Challenge Diabetes 5k Event at Como Lake, St Paul, this Saturday, June 29, starting at 8 AM. For more information, online pre-registration go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_diabetes.html

The weather forecast is for a lovely summer’s sunny morning, 63-77F. light breeze, and Miles o’ Smiles.

Pre-registration $28 goes up to $33 after midnight CDT tonight Monday, June 24, and closes on Wednesday night at Midnight CDT.

Race day ($40) registration opens from 6:45-7:45 AM near Como Lake’s lakeside historic white pavilion. Directions and map are also available via our CC web site. There's convenient free parking around the lakeside pavilion area.

Saturday is a special day to celebrate all of us who are “Taking Strong Steps to Defeat Diabetes”. We'll all party in the Park Saturday morning!

We'll also enjoy:

1. Pro-timing for complete USATF divisions scoring by www.WayzataResults.com on USATF certified 5k course

2. Fabulous free photography, online slideshow

3. Earning a “Challenge Diabetes 5k” classy commemorative t-shirt.

4. The cheerful welcome and expert support of CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers.

5. The inspiration of running and walking with truly remarkable “Challenged Honored Athletes” demonstrating The Power of RxExercise to improve lives of those challenged by diabetes.

6. Summertime motivational music and announcer’s recognition.

7. Healthful, tasty post-race treats.

8. Real-time Running & Walking RxExercise Celebrations by many of us who have used RxExercise to meet well our metabolic health challenges. We’ll be cheering lots of happy racers many of whom are no longer on diabetes meds because of their RxExercise. Brilliant!

RxExercise (Exercise as Medicine) has been determined to be twice as effective in managing Type II diabetes compared to the most powerful diabetes drug.

Yes, 90% of diabetes (NIDDM) is largely preventable and much more manageable with RxExercise!

We’ll especially be celebrating, and learning from, the improved quality of life of those Diabetes-Challenged Honored Athletes who are enjoying happier diabetes management because of their RxExercise.

Please refer to me and this special Challenge Diabetes 5k event anyone you know who is living well beyond diabetes with the help of their own exercise regimen so we may especially learn from and recognize them as Challenged Honored Athletes on Saturday.

Come Saturday to Como Lake to race, walk, volunteer, and perhaps also offer to “Walk By My Side” with our diabetes-challenged family and friends until they can learn to “run” on their own.

Fathers Day 5k – "Celebration of Active Generations” is happy-healthy Fathers Day Tradition

Come to a happy-healthy Fathers Day Tradition:

Charities Challenge’s 7^th Annual “Fathers Day 5k – Celebration of Active Generations” this Sunday, June 16, at Lake Phalen, St. Paul, MN; 8:30 AM start time.

For more information and online registration link go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/fathers_day_5k.html Lowest online pre-registration fee is available until Midnight, Tuesday, June 11.

Check-in for those pre-registered and race-day registration opens at 7 am Sunday morning near the lakeside picnic pavilion overlooking lovely Lake Phalen, right next to convenient free parking lots and a fun kids’ playground. 

The CC Fathers Day Event will be a special occasion to honor dads with the happy heart-health benefits of an RxExercise walk or run. Let’s encourage Dads to keep on going strong and well for years to come as you join them by walking & running by their sides.

Earn a fun Fathers Day gift of the unique “Walk ‘n’ Run with Dad” Fathers Day 5k colorful commemorative shirt. Go Dads! And, go kids of all ages!

Invitation to 8th Annual Challenge Obesity 5k at Como Lake, St Paul, MN - Sunday, April 21

The 8th Annual Challenge Obesity 5k Event, next Sunday, April 21, at Como Lake, St Paul, MN, 8:30 AM start, is the 2nd of 8 Life Challenge 5ks at Como Lake this year, and serves as the 2013 Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Minnesota 5k State Championship!

For more information including online registration opportunity go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_obesity_5k.html

Pre-register by this Sunday, April 14, before the entry fee goes up.

If you want year-long motivation and a great discount on the entire 8x5k Life Challenge Series running April - September, you can find that special offer at the above linked page, too.

Six RRCA MN State 5k Championship awards will go to men and women in four divisions:

Open Division Winners (under age 40)

Masters Winners (ages 40-49)

Grand Masters (ages 50-59)

Senior Grand Masters (ages 60-and up)

These division winners will be proud to display these awards at home or in the office.

You'll also enjoy:

1. 1. Chip timing and complete USATF divisions for scoring by www.WayzataResults.com and USATF certified course
2. 2. Fabulous free photography, online slideshow & video show
3. 3. All new optional-to-order personalized printed glossy “Memory Book” of the 8^th Annual Challenge Obesity 5k which can also be viewed and shown to friends online
4. 4. Earning a one-of-a-kind-in-America road race “Challenge Obesity 5k” classy commemorative t-shirt.
5. 5. The cheerful welcome and expert support of CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers.
6. 6. The inspiration of running and walking with truly remarkable “Challenged Honored Athletes” demonstrating The Power of RxExercise to improve lives.
7. 7. Springtime motivational music and announcer’s recognition.
8. 8. Fabulous photos slideshow for you to review online at CC’s Photos Slideshow page, and then even freely copy your photos to your Facebook.
9. 9. Recognition and reporting of all USATF youth, open and masters age groups divisions.
10. 10. Healthful post-race treats and a variety of beverages.
11. 11. Real-time Running & Walking RxExercise Celebrations by many of us who have used RxExercise to meet well our overweight and obesity health challenges. We’ll be cheering lots of happy racers each of whom has lost 20 to over 200lbs!
12. 12. Motivating memories to last another year until next year’s edition of this One-of-a-Kind Challenge Obesity road race event.

A major theme of the Challenge Obesity 5k Event at Como Lake is, ”I don’t have to be thin to be happy, healthy and fit”.

There will be recognition of all of us who want to be recognized for our healthful weight management. We will together be "Celebrating Effective RxExercise".

Everyone will go home inspired by the increasing numbers of athletes who come to celebrate how their RxExercise is helping them achieve and maintain remarkable weight management goals. Challenge Obesity includes our own “Big Losers” among all the big winners of regular RxExercise.

Find special inspiration from these impressively meaningful Event Statistics based on those pre-registered to date:

1. A. 30% will be enjoying their first-ever road race
2. B. 75% are women
3. C. 25% are walkers
4. D. 20% have chosen to compete in the optional Athena/Clydesdale weight-classes division
5. E. 45% have indicated having lost from 20 to >200 pounds
6. F. 5 individuals have lost over 20 lbs; 8 over 50 lbs; 13 over 100 lbs; and 2 individuals have lost over 200lbs !

While you’re visiting the CC web site, be sure to read the super news about RxExercise, an inspiring article “Obesity Challenges & the Power of Rx Exercise” http://charitieschallenge.org/html/rx_exercise_training_articles.html

Learn super-surprising things about the Power of RxExercise and why ”You don’t have to be thin to be happy, healthy and fit”.

As always, CC welcomes new volunteers to join our CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) where you can delight in both the meaningful intrinsic rewards of helping support so many others' life changing RxExercise, and earn a variety of valuable extrinsic CC Rewards. CCREW volunteers will start set up at Como Lake at 6:30 AM. Please RSVP if you, too, would like to join our CCREW!

Invitation to 2nd Annual Challenge Happiness 5k - The Only Happiness Road Race in America - Sunday, April 14, Como Lake, St Paul, MN

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

The Only Happiness Road Race in the USA! Pre-registration closes Midnight CDT Friday, April 12


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.

Professionally 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+), and Athena-Clydesdale weight class divisions.

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

This is the 1st in CC’s 2013 Life Challenge Series of 8 x 5k Events highlighting RxExercise relative to life health challenges.

Learn more about the entire 8 x 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.

Run, Walk or Volunteer - Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k @ Como Lake, March 31

You’re invited to the 6^th Annual “Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k” experience at Como Lake, Sunday, March 31, 9 AM start.

For more registration options about The Only Easter Sunday road race in Minnesota go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/easter_sunday_rise_-n_shine_5k.html

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

Enjoy all the following values:

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

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

3. Professional timing/scoring/record keeping

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

5. Healthful tasty treats.

6. CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers serving you at Como Lake on Easter morning where we’ll all be “Actively Celebrating Life”.

7. “Miles o’ Smiles” & Easter-time holiday costumes encouraged!

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 around beautiful Como Lake on Easter morning!

Easter Sunday will be a special CC Holiday Run occasion for hundreds 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 our own regular RxExercise, while continuing to serve others by our active support of Charities Challenge RxExercise Mission, Programs, Events and Active Partnerships.

St Patrick's Irish Traditions 5k @ Como Lake, St Paul, MN - Pre-Register Now!

You’re invited to run or walk the 5^th Annual St Patrick’s Irish Traditions 5k experience next Sunday, March 17, at Como Lake in St Paul, MN; start time 9 AM.

Pre-register by this Sunday, March 10 for the lowest entry fee http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/st__pats_5k.html

Over 300 are already pre-registered for the 700 limited pre-registration entries. PRE_REGISTER SOON!

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 pre-registration fee of $28/$33 after March 10/pre-registration closes on Thursday, March 14. Race day registration is $40.

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

2. Happy Irish holiday music & announcer.

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

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

5. Tasty treats and beverages.

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

7. Be Lucky! Join CC’s RxExercise Ambassador Team & Travel, CC Team-expenses-paid, to Dublin, Ireland in August to run or walk the 1st 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 is 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!

Run or Walk Christmas Day - Joyful 5k & New Year's Eve - Hopeful 5k

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer Charities Challenge’s last Holiday Run Events for 2012, both at Como Lake in St Paul, on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Tuesday, Dec 25, is the 7^th Annual Christmas Day – Joyful 5k experience at Como Lake in St Paul, MN. Start time 10 AM. This continues to be “The Biggest Christmas Day 5k in the USA”. http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

Monday, Dec 31, is the New Year’s Eve – Hopeful 5k experience at Como Lake in St Paul, MN. Start time 3 PM. Learn more about the last Holiday Run of 2012 & post-race party here http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/new_years_eve_day_hopeful_5k.html

Throughout 2012 at CC’s RxExercise Events we celebrated the Power of RxExercise to improve the health and lives, and even the relationships of thousands, especially improving the lives of so many of us who live well beyond our health challenges due to chronic diseases like arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, or accidental serious injuries.

Christmas Day is a day to celebrate all those “Miracle Miles” so many of us have walked and run together in 2012, and to encourage our loved ones to join us by coming alongside us on Christmas morning for a fun walk/run.

Give the gift of sharing some miles of smiles with family & friends who will be oh-so happier-healthier for their RxExercise and thereby even enjoy improved relationships in 2013.

If you're among the nearly 200 already pre-registered, Thank You! Perhaps you'll want to forward this invitation to more of your family & friends to join you, too.

Early Day-Before Check-In and in person Pre-registration option:

Check in the day before the race reduces the check-in lines on race day.

Early Check-In & Shirt and bib # pick-up is Monday, Dec 24 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Black Bear Crossings Cafe inside the lakeside pavilion on Como Lake.

Christmas Day – Joyful 5k Race Day Check-in for pre-registered, and race day registration, opens at 9 AM at the beautiful lakeside pavilion on Como Lake. Enjoy:

1. 1. Long-sleeve commemorative shirt
2. 2. Happy holiday motivating music and announcer
3. 3. Healthful tasty treats and a variety of hot beverages
4. 4. Unique free-to-copy fabulous photos and online slideshow
5. 5. Miles of Smiles shared by families & friends Holiday Run

For more inspiring “Christmas Day – Joyful 5k” registration  information, press release, online photos slideshows of past events, and even a great “History of Christmas”, go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

Any tax-deductible contributions added to your entry fee or sent separately will continue serving others’ RxExercise needs by supporting Charities Challenge year ‘round RxExercise Mission, Programs, Partnerships, Services and Events. http://www.crowdrise.com/CharitiesChallenge2012

The Christmas Holiday Run Event has become for many of us a particularly meaningful, and memorable Christmas Day’s Families & Friends Tradition of RxExercise, because “Brighter, Lighter Days & Miles of Smiles Come with Sharing Our RxExercise Every Day”.

We CC Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers look forward to seeing you at Como Lake on Christmas morning where together we’ll enjoy an active “Miracles Miles” morning.

More CCREW are always welcome to join us in delivering another Holiday Event. RSVP if you want to join our rewarding experience as a CCREW volunteer. What a great active gift of volunteering you’ll be giving to so many others as a CCREW member!