Invitation to 5th Annual Halloween Fearless 5k – Chase Away Fears on Saturday, Oct 26

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 5th Annual Halloween Fearless 5k – Chase Away Fears Event at Como Lake, St Paul, Saturday, October 26, starting at 9 AM.

For more information, online and printable mail-in entry registration form, go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/halloween_fearless_5k.html

Pre-register online or by mail for lowest entry fee $28! Entry fee increases to $33 after Sunday, Oct 20. Race day registration is $40.


Professionally chip-timed 5k on a lakeside USATF certified course and the simultaneous 1.5 Mile Family & Friends Fun Walk will start at 9 AM. The events will start/finish near the lovely lakeside pavilion.

We'll party lakeside, celebrating the Power of RxExercise to improve lives and even reduce fears and anxiety.

Registration includes:
A) “Halloween Fearless 5k” party atmosphere including lots of participants in costume
B) Classy commemorative Halloween Fearless 5k long sleeve shirt
C) Chip timed race results according to complete USATF divisions
D) Halloween Motivational Music & Announcer to give you a “Shout Out”
E) Enthusiastic CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers.
F) Photography and unique post-race online “Miles of Smiles” slideshow
G) Videography & online fun show
H) Free online personal Photos Memory Book by Liveality
I) Healthful hot & cold refreshments & Halloween Treats
J) Convenient, free parking, and indoor heated restrooms
K) Post-race discounted party brunch & beverages at nearby Ol' Mexico Restaurante (present bib #)

Chase Away Fears! Yes, RxExercise has been shown to even improve the management of fearful depression and anxiety.

Only 4% of Americans ever run & less than 2% ever run/walk a road race! Non-exercisers fear exercise & fear that their efforts to improve their health/fitness will be a waste of time.

Actively demonstrate your friendly fearlessness as an active runner/walker by sharing your run/walk with others who may have been fearful of RxExercise and entering a 5k road race.

RxExercise has been discovered to be the “magic pill” for reducing a variety of fearsome health risks including arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and more.

So, come together where we’re all making a difference by helping people to live well today and every day by actively supporting Charities Challenge ongoing RxExercise Programs and CC’s Special Holiday Run Events like Saturday’s Halloween Fearless 5k.

Report @ Challenge Aging 5k - Celebrating Strength & Successful Aging

Enjoy reviewing last Sunday's 7th Annual Challenge Aging 5k - Celebrating Strength & Successful Aging at Como Lake by visiting the event page to find:
1. race results
2. online slideshow with theme songs
3. beautifully inspiring 4 minute video
4. free Liveality Online Memory Book

http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_aging.html

Be inspired by how very well some of advancing age are negotiating the challenges of aging, even very advanced ages and despite a variety of chronic diseases added challenges, because of their RxExercise (exercise as medicine), running, walking, and enthusiastic CC events volunteering.

A leading cause of usual aging (as contrasted by successful aging) is disengagement, social withdrawal and isolation. With advancing age, I know the temptation to withdraw, disengage, and go it alone. I daily tell myself: "Get up and get out and about with other happily active people".

So, here’s a big congratulations to those of you who will not concede to usual aging decline and disappointments.

And, an even bigger congratulations to each of you who I see actively engaged in encouraging our family & friends of advancing ages by your walking or running alongside, volunteering with smiles, always happy to come together to build one another up to be successfully strong throughout life.

Special acknowledgements from the Challenge Aging 5k:

1. Bib numbers were assigned to the pre-registered in reverse order of age.

2. So, at nearly age 89, Mary Pat Flynn, showed off bib # 1, the oldest 5k finisher of any CC event (>100 events to date).

3. Gloria Jansen set an all-time MN F65-69 5k age group record 23:36

4. Lance Elliott, nearly age 43, running for only 4 years won overall in 16:08

5. Daniel Gerber, age 23, set for himself a huge 35 second 5k PR by chasing Lance.

6. www.Liveality.com friends created the first CC event online memory book that each participant may personalize with select photos, a visual reminder of the memories made at CC events to review with family & friends.

7. My friend Josh 'Dartos' Gerber, proprietor of www.WayzataResults.com, continues to produce accurate and fast-reported race results, and Sunday set up for the first time an announcers mat that allows our announcers, Jeanne DeMartino, George Liss and Andy Liss to announce more names than ever.

8. Faithful regular CCREW volunteers and RxExercise Ambassadors like Don Soule, Meredith Soule, Dawn Hart, Ken Wendling and others were joined by new CCREW volunteers like Kyle Clark & Sara Rapp. Thanks you all for producing CC events with the utmost in hospitality. You make CC events special!

9. So many individuals whose remarkable stories I know about and who continue to play in my memory, inspiring me to keep on keepin' on with always-special CC events.

10. The 8th Annual Challenge Aging 5k next year will see each of us one year older, stronger, and smarter. To "Successful Aging"!

Run, Walk or Volunteer - Challenge Aging 5k @ Como Lake, Sunday, Sept 22

Walk, run or actively volunteer for the 7^th Annual Challenge Aging 5k Event, this Sunday, September 22, at Como Lake, St Paul, MN, 9 AM Start.

Fabulous fall forecast for colorful autumnal Como Lake: Sunny, 47-68 F. light winds, and “Miles of Smiles”!

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

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

We'll celebrate:

1. A unique “Celebrating Strength & 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 78!)

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

5. Enjoy the cheerful welcome and expert support of CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers, and healthful tasty treats.

6. Recognition by race announcer & Ageless Motivational Music.

7. Fabulous photographic record and online CC Photos slide show of your racing the event. See last year’s event photos via the CC site.

8. Recognition for many race division winners.

9. Great Harvest fresh race rolls, whole fruit, hot & cold beverages

10. More memorable “Miles of Smiles”!

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 54, eight years younger than my chronological age of 62.

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

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

Run or Walk Challenge Arthritis 5k @ Como Lake, St Paul, this Saturday, August 24

You’re invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 9^th Annual Challenge Arthritis 5k - Celebrating Strong Steps with Arthritis event at Como Lake, St Paul, this Saturday, August 24, starting at 8 AM. For more information including online registration option go to www.charitieschallenge.org Pre-register today!

The professionally timed 5k on a lakeside USATF certified course and the simultaneous 1.5 Mile Family & Friends Fun Walk will start at 8 AM. The Kids Challenge Fun Run will start about 9:15 AM after the 5k event is completed. The events will start/finish near the lovely lakeside pavilion.

Pre-registration is $28 through Monday, Aug 19, $33 Aug 20-21; race-day registration is $40; reduced rates for the Kids Challenge Fun Run includes commemorative shirt. Online pre-registration closes at Midnight CDT Wednesday, Aug 21.

We'll party lakeside, celebrating the Power of RxExercise to improve the lives of family & friends living well beyond a variety of arthritis challenges. Registration includes:

A) “Celebrating Strong Steps with Arthritis” party atmosphere

B) Commemorative Challenge Arthritis 5k shirt

C) Race results according to complete USATF divisions

D) Compete for Challenge Arthritis 5k records

E) Motivational Challenge Arthritis theme music & announcer

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

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

H) Healthful, tasty refreshments
I) Free, convenient parking & indoor restrooms

Because of their commitment to their own RxExercise regimen many are living well beyond their arthritis challenges. These Arthritis-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 Arthritis Event anyone you know that we may celebrate as they continue their successful, active living beyond their arthritis challenges.

Come meet and cheer each of our Arthritis-Challenged Honored Athletes, and everyone who is racing to fill their exercise prescription. Brilliant!

Run or Walk Challenge Cancer 5k @ Como Lake, St Paul, Saturday, July 27

You're invited to run, walk or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s very special 9^th Annual Challenge Cancer 5k event at Como Lake, St Paul, this Saturday, July 27, starting at 8 AM. For more information including online registration option go to www.charitieschallenge.org Register today!

The timed 5k on a lakeside USATF certified course and the simultaneous 1.5 Mile Family & Friends Fun Walk will start at 8 AM. The Kids Challenge 1/2 & 1/4 Mile Fun Run will start about 9:15 AM. T

he events will start/finish near the lovely lakeside pavilion. Pre-registration is $33; race-day registration is $40. Online pre-registration closes at Midnight, Wednesday, July 24.

We'll party lakeside Saturday morning, celebrating the Power of RxExercise to improve the lives of family & friends living well beyond a variety of challenging cancers. Registration includes:

A) “Celebrating Active Cancer Survivors” energized atmosphere

B) Commemorative “Celebrating Active Cancer Survivors” shirt

C) 5k 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 restrooms

I) Stay after races at Como Lake to continue your own family/friends lakeside picnic, or dine in at lakeside Black Bear Crossings Café.

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 Saturday’s Challenge Cancer 5k where we celebrate active cancer survivors who are “More Than Survivors”.

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!