Run, Walk or Volunteer - Free to Run 4 Miles @ Lake Phalen, St Paul, Friday, July 4th

You’re invited to run, walk or volunteer at the Charities Challenge “Free to Run 4 Miles on the 4^th of July – Actively Celebrating Liberty” experience around beautiful Lake Phalen in St Paul, MN, next Friday. Race start time is 8 AM.

Go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/free_to_run__4_miles.html for more inspiring “Free to Run 4 Miles – Celebrating Liberty” event information, online registration option, and printable promotional fliers with mail-in registration forms.

This CC Holiday Run event is the Runners Club of America (RRCA) MN  State 4 Mile Championship for the 5^th year in a row.

Every participant and volunteer will enjoy receiving:
1. A classy, commemorative “Celebrating Liberty” shirt
2. A pocket-size Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution (The only known 4^th of July road race in America giving away these USA founding documents.)
3. Refreshments and more
4. 4^th of July holiday motivational music and announcer
5. Free photographic record with fabulous post-event online slideshow displaying “Miles of Smiles"

Race results and records by CC’s official timing company Wayzata Results will be presented onsite by about 10 AM. Race results will also be posted online soon after the race.

8 Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) 2014 MN State 4 Miles Championship medals will go to men and women in four divisions:

Open Division winners (under age 40)

Masters winners (ages 40-49)

Grand Masters winners (ages 50-59)

Senior Masters winners (60 and up)

The event theme, “Celebrating Liberty”, emphasizes the freeing values to each of us “Exercising Freedom” as we enjoy the Power of Exercise as a powerful prescription (RxExercise) to improve lives. RxExercise is proven, irreplaceable “medicine” in improving the quality of lives, especially lives challenged by a variety of chronic diseases like arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, and heart disease.

Imagine: You can help improve the lives of so many health-challenged people today by inviting them to join you in "Exercising Freedom" and live well beyond life's challenges. Share the RxExercise Challenge!

Run or Walk Challenge Diabetes 5k Event at Como Lake, St Paul, Saturday, June 28

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 9^th Annual Challenge Diabetes 5k Event at Como Lake, St Paul, next  Saturday, June 28, 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 Miles o’ Smiles.

Pre-registration $29 goes up to $33 after midnight CDT Sunday, June 22, and closes on Wednesday, June 25 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.

Challenge Diabetes 5k is a special day to celebrate all of us who are “Taking Strong Steps to Defeat Diabetes”. We'll all party in the Park next 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 next Saturday.

Come next 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.

Invite more family and friends to join you, too, by forwarding this e-invitation to them.

Charities Challenge Mission: To Improve Health/Fitness, Reduce Health Risks, and Enhance Disease Management via Goal-oriented RxExercise Training Programs, Engaging Events & Active Community Partnerships...

Because there is NO CURE for all the ills associated with lack of exercise…except RxExercise!

CC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization http://charitieschallenge.org/

2014 Mothers Day 5k - Celebration of Active Generations Happy Report

Read and see here some of the marvelously memorable highlights from Charities Challenge 8th Annual Mothers Day 5k at beautiful Como Lake in St Paul, MN, May 11, 2014.
http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/mothers_day_5k.html

Find at the above linked event web page:
A. Race Results
B. Creative inspiring 2 min 44 sec video
C. Photos (1190!) slideshow with theme music
D. Highlights (85) photos included in "Miles of Smiles" online show

Highlights moments and scenes from 2014 Mothers Day 5k include:

1. 700 participants made it a full house (as CC limits the size of our events to keep them safer, more enjoyable, and allow for more of us to get to know one another and each others' inspiring stories).

2. 70% of the field were moms. Way to go moms!

3. 25% of the field of runners and walkers were doing their first-ever road race. Welcome to the wonderful world of road racing!

We're all so proud of our moms, grand moms, and great grand moms, that we cheerfully support their active pursuit of better and happier heart health.

Given that heart health is the greatest risk for premature death among women, and knowing that the number one prescription for improving heart health is exercise-as-medicine (RxExercise), Charities Challenge is committed to actively supporting exercise in all moms' busy lives.

Because of their loving commitment to their families, most moms are not getting the time and encouragement to stay strong with their own RxExercise - Exercise as powerful medicine.

Join CC in actively encouraging, supporting, joining, moms in their daily exercise routines.

4. Special acknowledgement to Moms on the Run (MOTR) who were represented at this year's Mothers Day 5k by over 200 of their members including dozens of their caring coaches, led by MOTR founder Karissa Johnson.

5. Thanks to MOTR member and FOX9 anchor Kelcey Carlson who came with a news crew as well as to run the Mothers Day 5k.

Moms, and all of us who support moms' healthful regular exercise, were encouraged by the attention Kelcey and her news team brought to this very special Holiday Run event at Como Lake.

6. What a special welcome back to CC's Mothers Day 5k Forever-Honored-Active-Moms of prior years' events, who have a forever complimentary welcome back for Mothers Day 5ks, including CC's Coach Jeanne DeMartino (generously volunteering as usual) and Olympian Carrie Tollefson and her strong family demonstrating how to share the RxExercise challenge.

7. We saw a proposal for marriage at the finish line by a handsome young man, Shane Schlepp (sp?) to Michelle Bruley, who had just finished running her race. She accepted! What a lovely moment captured in many photos including CC's slideshow.

8. We cheered mom Jill and age 14 son Eric Olson, who she accompanied through the 5k as he is blind, blind as a consequence of nearly dying from his first challenge: cystic fibrosis. "The Power of Love" is so evident in moms' active care for their children, especially when their children are especially challenged. Well done to Jill and courageous Eric!

9. Jason and Samantha Denen celebrated their first wedding anniversary by encouraging each others' RxExercise and joining hands as they crossed the finish line.

10. We were greatly impressed to see a family of four generations of ladies who exemplified the Mothers Day 5k theme: "Celebration of Active Generations".

11. And the kids' 1/4 and 1/2 mile fun run was just that: FUN!

12. Let's all remember that it's moms (and dads), by their happy exercise example and leadership, who are the greatest determinant of whether kids grow up to be happy exercisers throughout life, in order for them to better enjoy life with happier-health-fitness. Go Kids!

How very many more special stories I, and you, could tell here about our experiences at this year's Mothers Day 5k at Como Lake!

Please use the comment section below to add your special memories and stories of active-happy moms and their RxExercise successful leadership to their families.

Go Moms and all who actively and cheerfully support their heart-healthy RxExercise!

Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k - Run, Walk or Volunteer @ Como Lake, St Paul, MN, Sunday April 20

You’re invited to the 7^th Annual “Easter Sunday - Rise ‘n’ Shine 5k” experience at Como Lake, 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”.

Enjoy all the following added 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 by Wayzata Results.

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

5. Professional videography and online show.

6. Healthful tasty treats.

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

8. “Miles o’ 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 ‘round 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 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.

Valentines - Hearts 'r' Running 5k "Celebrating Active Loving Hearts" Recap in Photos & Stories

The 6th Annual Valentines - Hearts 'r' Running 5k "Celebrating Active Loving Hearts" produced by Charities Challenge at Como Lake, St Paul, MN on Saturday, February 15, 2014, did reveal lots and lots of active loving hearts, "Miles of Smiles", many fast-fun-friends, happy families, and athletes of wide ranging ages and abilities. Love it!

Photos slideshow and video available from event web page here http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/valentines_5k.html

(NOTE: CC's next Holiday Run is Sunday, March 16, back at Como Lake - St Patrick's Irish Traditions 5k - Celebrating Friendship-Love-Loyalty http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/st__pats_5k.html )

The start line was an occasion to follow the announcer's invitation to "hug somebody you love before by we start".

More hugs were seen after the finish line. Love it!

Running Club MNRED (RED=Running, Eating, Drinking) delivered many of their happy team members to the event.

Coach Ron Byland, founder/leader of MNRED, made a handsome appearance with very encouraging words in the Valentines 5k video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cJBEW987A&feature=youtu.be produced by CC's pro-videographer, Paul Sanft.

CC's events are always warmer when "frequent flyers" (regular runners and great friends) run our Holiday Run Series. Here's a photo including Ivan and Julie Silverman, and Mike Jamison (in orange "Runners for Recovery" team shirt). Imagine! Mr Jamison is running well beyond his challenges with a heart pace maker. Go MikeMan!

John Wacker, running again the entire CC Holiday Run Series, always has this backward "wacky"  salute when he sees my Canon camera. I learned from John that his unusual salute is his daughter's sorority salute, and he sends all these photos to her as his encouragement to her. Go Mr Wacker!

Sarah Montaigne whose sign reads, "My Heart is Running for my dad, Paul". Well done daughter and dad! Here's another noteworthy example of how kids of all ages can encourage their parents' RxExercise. Brilliant!

Top three men finishers getting Valentines Hershey's Kisses from CCREW volunteer Jackie.

Top three women finishers getting Valentines Hershey's Kisses from CCREW volunteer and coach, Kyle Clark.

CCREW volunteer US Army Colonel Retired, Neil Hetherington congratulating US Army Sergeant Major Retired, Renee Hickerson, on another fast CC 5k

Paul Montaigne, also running again the entire CC Holiday Run Series of 12x running events, celebrating his well-earned heart health beyond bypass surgery and lifetime of improved diabetes management because of his RxExercise. Go Paul! Your daughter, Sarah, is an inspiration to many of us dads who vicariously glow in the active love of a daughter. Go Sarah!

Mike Jamison, co-founder and leader of Runners for Recovery run club is the inspiration for CC's Challenge Addiction 5k that we produce every August. Mike is an inspiration and encouragement to me and Charities Challenge of how we can enjoy long-term recovery from a variety of addictions with the help of our running and walking together. Thanks, Mike! http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_addiction_5k.html

Thanks, Rachel Pexa, for dancing with this ol' coach, roaming announcer, and finish line photographer! "You make me feel so young"! As I regularly announce to all: "Dance while you have the chance".

And, here is our senior participant of the Valentines - Hearts 'r' Running 5k, Della Soderbeck, F75. (Note: Tomorrow, Feb 24, Della turns age 76. Happy Birthday Della!) In this photo, she's holding a photo of herself when she was more than 100 lbs heavier than now. She wrote these inspiring words to me following the event:
"Thanks Gary! You run a great race program. Walking/running has been my lifesaver, literally! Della Soderbeck"

Well done, Della! Walking and running continues to improve and save so many of our lives. Thanks for your winsome example.

Run or Walk Christmas Day 5k and/or New Year's Eve 5k

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer Charities Challenge’s last Holiday Run Events for 2013, both at Como Lake in St Paul, on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Wednesday, Dec 25, is the 8^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

Tuesday, 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 2013 & post-race party here http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/new_years_eve_day_hopeful_5k.html

Looking for active gifts to give to family/friends that will run throughout 2014? Find at the CC web site the special reduced entry fee offer for the 2014 Holiday Run Series of 12x events and the 2014 Taking on All Challenges 8x Series of events. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Throughout 2013 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 2013, and to encourage our loved ones to join us by coming alongside us on Christmas morning for a fun walk/run.

  

If you're among those 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 Tuesday, 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. Long-sleeve commemorative shirt
2. Christmas Day 5k collectible ornament for first 250 registered
3. Happy holiday motivating music and announcer
4. Healthful tasty treats and a variety of hot beverages
5. Unique free fabulous photos and online slideshow
6. Miles of Smiles shared by families & friends Holiday Run
7. Beautifully "Ugly" Christmas Sweater Photos Contest - More fun!

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.

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!

ThanksGiving Day - GivingThanks 5k - Attitude of Gratitude Celebration (8th Annual) Review

Thanks to everyone who played an active part in Charities Challenge's 8^th Annual ThanksGiving Day - GivingThanks 5k - Attitude of Gratitude Celebration, at Como Lake in St Paul. Find and enjoy reviewing inspiring video and photos slideshow via this event page http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/thanksgiving_day_5k.html

(Note as found at the above web page: As with all CC's wintry Holiday Run Series events from Thanksgiving to Valentines we do not record/report racing times. Instead we emphasize safety when pathways may be icy/snowy, and really emphasize sharing with family/friends running/walking RxExercise benefits to health and relationships around the holidays. Holiday can be unusually stressful and we want to start each significant holiday with a brisk walk or run, especially with loving family/friends. The large digital display clock will show everyone's finishing time, as will so many finish line photos.)

When measured against the big world of road racing events, many of which seek to grow in numbers into sometimes very big crowds, CC Events are intended to be boutique events with an upper limit of participation that keeps our events safe, more pleasant for everyone, allowing for more personally satisfying experiences shared by family & friends, many of whom are recognized by name by both fellow athletes and our CC Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers. CC Events are meant to be the “CHEERS” of road racing, “Where everyone knows your name”.

Enjoy remembering some of the morning's special experiences as you view the online photos slideshow while hearing again some of the 2013 ThanksGiving Day 5k theme songs, and the first-ever creative pro-video highlighting “Attitudes of Gratitude” seen and heard at this special Holiday Run.

The 714 images in the slideshow at 1 second per image will take about 12 minutes to view. I hope you find the music inspiring along with the images of so many sharing their walk/run with loved ones.

You’re welcome to freely copy any photos from the gallery “index”, add the photos to your digital photo files, and even send the photo(s) to family and friends via e-mail. And, like so many others, post your favorite photo(s) to your Facebook page, including at our Charities Challenge Facebook “Friends” page https://www.facebook.com/groups/41310607820/

When you view the photos slideshow you’ll see “Miles of Smiles” evidencing the Power of RxExercise (exercise as medicine) to cheer each of us even during these darkening days of fall into winter, and how sharing a run/walk even improves our relationships with loved ones who walk and run by our sides.

Thanks to about 20 CC Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers who helped produce last Thursday’s Holiday Run Event. Others are welcome to join our happy CCREW for any of our 21 Annual CC Events. CC volunteers can earn a variety of valuable CCREW Rewards for being so actively supportive of others’ RxExercise experiences.

Some CCREW also are earning fundraising credits to help cover CC’s cost to send them as RxExercise Ambassadors to Great Destination Events, like the Disney World Marathon, Kauai, and Ireland’s Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in August, and Honolulu Marathon next December. Go CCREW! And…Go RxExercise Ambassadors!

Thanks also to each of you who brought non-perishable food items, and a few who added cash donations, that CC delivered immediately following the event to Roseville’s Keystone Community Services. Thanks to CCREW member, Phil Face, for making that delivery.

By walking, running and/or volunteering with about 500 others at the ThanksGiving Day – GivingThanks 5k, you made an immediate difference in your own healthier-happier life, as well as so many others’ lives, by “Sharing the RxExercise Challenge” with families & friends. Walk and run with a year ‘round “Attitude of Gratitude”, and be ready to come back next year happier-healthier, faster and fitter than ever.

Before the New Year, you’re oh-so welcome to come back to Como Lake for the 8^th Annual Christmas Day – Joyful 5k, 

http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

and/or CC’s 5^th Annual New Year’s Eve Day – Hopeful 5k http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/new_years_eve_day_hopeful_5k.html

You’re invited to keep up with Charities Challenge RxExercise News, Events and inspiring stories by adding Charities Challenge to your Facebook “Friends” https://www.facebook.com/groups/41310607820/