Back in February when I decided that I wanted to run a Fall marathon, I realized that I wanted to not just run for myself. A marathon is a really big deal for me. The Hall Steps Foundation was a natural choice. It didn't work out then, and I decided to hold off on doing a marathon for various reasons. However, Ryan Hall annoucing his entry into the Chicago Marathon changed all that.

I was already excited to see that Ryan would be in Chicago because he's been a big role model for my running and faith, so for Steps to send out a call for team members to run with Ryan was just icing on the cake. I fundraised for Steps last year, and it made the 2010 500 Festival Mini Marathon so much better than it already was. I've been blessed in life, and it gave me an opporunity to help those who have been less fortunate. This time around, I feel that the opportunity is so much greater for helping those in need. It is the great calling for Christians and one that Ryan and Sara exemplify admirably. 

My goal is to raise $2500 for the Hall Steps Foundation and run the 2011 Chicago Marathon on their team. It will be my first road marathon and my first fundraising project of this magnitude. It just feels like everything has come together to make this happen. Lord willing, my training will allow me to run swiftly as well.

I can't do it without your support, so please give what you can! I'll do my part all the way through the end of the race to train and race with the effort and perserverance worthy of this opportunity.

Thanks for your support!

Mitchell

HALL FOUNDATION wrote -

THE HALL STEPS FOUNDATION IN CHICAGO 2011:

“Fighting Poverty Through Better Health, from Chicago to Kenya”

The Hall Steps Foundation is delighted that our co-founder, Ryan Hall, will be running the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9^th. 

This year, in honor of Olympic Marathon Champion and former Chicago Marathon winner Sammy Wanjiru, our Chicago donations will go toward fighting poverty through health in Kenya. Ryan and Sara will be traveling to Kenya next year to train and explore opportunities for Steps to fight poverty throughout Africa.

Steps has already committed a grant to professional runner and Steps friend, Wesley Korir, to build a hospital in his home village in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Wesley will also be running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! Ryan and Wes are sending a message that world-class runners can compete on the roads, and join forces for a great cause after the race!

For runners who were already registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and are joining Hall Steps Team we are asking for $1,500 minimum fundraising commitment.

For runners who were not already registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and are using a Steps Foundation race registration, we are asking for $2,500 minimum fundraising commitment.

If you're running with us, select the JOIN THE TEAM button, add your goal to the page and then share it with all of your friends and family and ask for their support!