Almost $6 Million Raised To Save The World

Presented by

^{Oct 2, 2024 | Edition #32}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

While sprint fans were busy reeling over Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's 400m strategy, marathon diehards were glued to their screens all weekend! Of course, the Berlin Marathon's 50th edition was returning to the German capital and who'd miss 26.2 miles of athletic greatness?

G.O.A.T Eluid Kipchoge was surely missing in action, but the Ethiopians put up a fine show. However, there were many chasing a vision, not just a finish. Running for charity, disease, or in honor of their loved ones, these marathoners had more than one cause to descend upon the streets. And today we’ll uncover some inspiring stories from the Berlin Marathon!

So let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You'll never know what you're capable of until you take that first step and just go for it.”

— Natasha Hastings

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Track & Field universe:

💰 Berlin Marathon Raises $6M for Charity

🏃🏻‍➡️ Marathoner Brothers Runs For a Cause

💪🏻 50-Year-Old’s 50-50 Challenge

💖 Marathoner Pays Tribute to Late 11-Year-Old Brother

📰 TRENDING NEWS

Almost $6 Million Raised To Save The World

Every Berlin marathon runner can choose to go the 'extra mile,' figuratively. And thanks to those who do and well, the 122 charity partners, the event raises over € 5M ($5.5M) for charity projects annually. But, this feat could use a little refinement. A week ago, the London Marathon touched a world record figure of £73.5M ($98.28M), only in its 44th edition. Notably, it surpassed the marathon giant— Boston, whose 128th chapter this year collected $71.9M! Well, Berlin still seems far from minting such big bucks for charity. 

But, that hardly discounts the remarkable contribution it's trying to make. Among the 54,280 world record finishers this time, over 42K decided to run for a cause that resonated with them, even if it transcended borders. Say disease-related research (Alzheimer's, Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, etc), child welfare (in Berlin or Africa), animal health, poverty, sustainability, elderly care, etc. 

And successes? They have been coming in huge numbers too. Apart from making food donations to the Berliner Tafel, the Berlin Marathon has raised €0.8M since 2009 only for RTL Deutschland's charity foundation—'Stiftung RTL - Wir Helfen Kindern,' which has helped underprivileged children in the city. Moreover, for the past 12 years, the Marathon has provided €50K to support families in Berlin whose children or young adults have chronic ailments. And the list can just go on, for truly, 'there is an angel in every marathon runner,' and they are transforming lives. 

Read Full Article: Charity at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON: Running and doing good!

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Last Poll’s Result: In our last poll we asked if you would consider buying apparel from track and field stars Like Noah Lyles, Usain Bolt, and more. Well, the votes are in, and a surprising 78.57% of you said, “Nah, I’ll pass!” It looks like the fashion game needs some serious speed to catch up with these track legends! But wait—21.43% of you are all in for some star-studded swag! ✨

🔎 THROUGH THE LENS

Perfect Gift From Marathoner To Breast Cancer Fighters

For brothers—Patrick Finnegan and Andrew Finnegan, the 2024 Berlin Marathon meant much more than just charting the 42.195 km-long course. It was in memory of their late grandmother, Marie Finnegan, that they participated in the Golden Jubilee run to raise money for the Against Breast Cancer Foundation, which in turn uses the money to fast-track secondary breast cancer research.

In what was his 12th marathon ever, Patrick raised $2071 for the cause thanks to 28 supporters who donated. Thus, the 4th Major run he ran in alongside his brother, in 2:46:41 helped them to contribute to a cause that meant so much to their family. And now, the funds will be used for valuable research on improving post-diagnosis survival rates.

Banding together for a similar goal, partner organizations like Breast Cancer Care or the National Breast Cancer Research Institute too had people running the Marathon this Sunday. In fact, not just the Finnegan brothers, many stepped on the streets as an ode to their loved ones, haunted by the thought of how cancer robs families altogether. Say, Alex Shortland, whose run to the Brandenburg Gate was aimed at raising money for pancreatic cancer in the UK, having lost her grandfather to the disease in 2017.

Read Full Article: Patrick Finnegan is Fundraising for Against Breast Cancer

👌 CURATED PICKS

Put your best face forward with Tiege Hanley

Fellas. We've all been guilty of neglecting our skin. But your skin is your body's largest organ and its first line of defense, so it’s important to show it the care it deserves.

Introducing Tiege Hanley's Bare Minimum Routine – a simple yet powerful solution to keep your skin clear with minimal effort. For just $9, first-time customers receive a revitalizing face wash and an AM moisturizer infused with SPF protection. This duo is meticulously crafted to shield and revitalize your skin, ensuring you always put your best face forward.

Order your set today

📽️ VIDEO VAULT

Epic Boston Marathon Ever!

Japenese runner Yuki Kawauchi faced an unanticipated challenge at the 122nd Boston Marathon. Mid-race, gusty winds at 50 miles per/hr and lashing rain threatened to deter his plans. Unfortunately, he found himself without a waterproof coat, shoes or any rain gear! What happens next? Watch till the end to know!

🔦 SPOTLIGHT

50 Year Old's Fight For Africa

Bethany Peters knew she'd have to go all out for the 2024 Berlin Marathon. She was turning 50 and well, so was the Marathon. Thus, partnering up with World Vision, she decided to bring another 50 into the picture, by setting her agenda to collect $50,000 to sponsor 50 children across the globe. Sponsoring them also works hand in hand with providing access to clean water and funding their healthcare, education, advocacy, and spiritual enrichment.

But, running strenuous distances was never Bethany's thing. In fact, what she thought was a minor hitch in her knee during the Hood to Coast Relay 2022, eventually required her to undergo a knee replacement surgery the next year. But nothing dampened her spirit to run for these children, as she signed up for the 2024 Berlin Marathon as a World Vision partner. She had been sponsoring kids beyond borders for years now, touched by the part she played in their lives. And, getting to read their hand-written letters was a bonus!

And now, with $1000 to sponsor one child, she's triumphed to the $43,870 mark, which is nothing short of extraordinary. It reiterates how important providing access to clean water is. Especially given that a report from 2021 highlighted how clean water remains inaccessible to 2 billion people worldwide—a farfetched dream or nearly a luxury for them. 

Thankfully, there were organizations like Run for Children, Alder Hey Children's Charity, Team KCA, and many others that have raised funds for various issues surrounding kids. Also, to get the next generation on their feet, the Berlin Marathon organized events like mini-Marathon and the Bambini-Run, to get their running shoes on! Truly, this edition could be called a breakthrough of sorts!

Read Full Article: Bethany L Peters Fundraising for Team World Vision

🫡 TRIBUTE TO

Perfect Tribute By Marathoner For Late Brother

For 28-year-old Andrea Calderon, the 2024 Berlin Marathon was no mundane Sunday activity. It was time she did something independently in remembrance of her late brother Edu, short for Eduardo. Ever since he succumbed to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2020, at the tender age of 11, their family (parents and 3 sisters) had been hosting annual gala dinners to raise funds for charitable activities, for children battling diseases. But this time, she wanted to give her 'munchkin' a special tribute and thus entered her first-ever marathon.

She signed up for Berlin with many thoughts in mind. Edu loved sports, so much that his craze for Real Madrid pulled him to Spain. Second, he was full of optimism, despite enduring clinical trials and navigating the see-saw of hope and failure multiple times. Not to mention, chasing him around had gotten her to start running in the first place! But the most important aspect was the need to emphasize the urgency of Cancer research.

Thus, after being a cross-country runner in high school, she teamed up as a runner with the Institute of Cancer Research for the Berlin Marathon. And has raised £492 to date. While it was too late to find a cure to save Edu, there are so many lives that this cause could touch. Thus, the 2024 Berlin Marathon was much more than just a competition. It served as a ground for personal expression, welfare acts, and awareness initiatives. 

Read Full Article: Running a Marathon is Daunting. But it's Nothing Compared to What Children With Cancer go Through Every Day

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

1. Cole Hocker Shares Stage With Sha’carri Richardson After Major Career Update - Full Story

2. Track and Field Community Brings Forward the Recurring Issue of the Sport, Days After Athlos NYC - Full Story

3. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Reveals Career-Reviving Advice from Flo-Jo’s Coach in 2020 - Full Story

4. Junelle Bromfield Had a Great Time at the Paris Olympics, Thanks to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce - Full Story

5. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ‘Begged’ Her Parents to Skip Rio Trials - Full Story

6. How the Chicago Marathon 2024 Creates Million-Dollar Impact on the City’s Economy - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

💌 FEEDBACK