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!

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 2014, both at Como Lake in St Paul, on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Thursday, Dec 25, is the 9^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

Wednesday, Dec 31, is the 6^th Annual 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 2014 & 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 2015? Find at the CC web site the special reduced entry fee offer for the 2015 Holiday Run Series of 12x events and the 2015 Taking on All Challenges 8x Series of events. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Throughout 2014 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 2014, 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.

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 + Liveality personalized photos memories online book and optional beautiful glossy printed photos memories book.
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!

Run or Walk Halloween Fearless 5k – Chase Away Fears on Saturday, Oct 25 @ Como Lake

 invited to run, walk and/or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 6th Annual Halloween Fearless 5k – Chase Away Fears Event at Como Lake, St Paul, Saturday, October 25, 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 $29!
Entry fee increases to $34 after Sunday, Oct 19.
Race day registration is $45.


Professionally 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) Pro-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

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 and 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.

Run, Walk or Volunteer - Challenge Aging 5k @ Como Lake, Sunday, Sept 21

Walk, run or actively volunteer for the 8^th Annual Challenge Aging 5k Event, this Sunday, September 21, at Como Lake, St Paul, MN, 9 AM Start.

Fabulous forecast for last full day of summer at Como Lake: Sunny, 57-67 F. and “Miles of Smiles”!

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

For the first time ever, Challenge Aging 5k will serve 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 on Sunday 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 85!)

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. Free personal online photos Memory Book from LIVEALITY to share with family/friends

9.Recognition for many race division winners.
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 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?

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.