A Run To Remember

Andrew wanted to do something personal for his project. After much deliberation, he decided he wanted to raise money to donate towards research for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. He knew that while a 5k run doesn’t generate much attention, a 12 hour run would. Andrew arranged to have a closed course around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, and began planning his 12 hour run.

A lot goes into a run, especially one of this caliber. Andrew had to make sure he had food and water, emergency equipment if something happened, and a team of people to help him along the way.

He had food and water set up in an aid station. It was stocked with all essential fuel needs, including PBJ’s, Swedish Fish, chocolate covered coffee beans, granola bars, energy GU’s, PowerAde, and plenty of water.

He also prepared gear in case anything went wrong. This included an extra pair of shoes, shorts, socks, and duct tape for the blisters.

This run was not easy, and Andrew needed a crew of people. They weren’t just be there to help with the run, but also to help promote the Alzheimer’s association and record the run via pictures, videos, and social media updates. That way anyone who donated towards the cause could check in on Andrew and see how he was doing.

Andrew used his runner’s club’s Twitter page and other sources of social media to help spread knowledge of the event. Some of the runners in his club are part of high school cross country teams all around the area, they brought this run up to their coaches and fellow runners to help spread the word and donate what they can. Fliers were placed up around the Anoka Ramsey campus as well.

Donations were made on the website, Gofundme.com, in accordance to how many miles Andrew could run in a 12 hour period. Instead of donating a lump sum of cash, people signed pledge sheets acknowledging that they would donate however much money per mile that was run.

Andrew’s main goal was to help spread awareness of the degenerative Alzheimer’s disease, and how it can effect not just the patient, but all of the friends and family members they have. He raised $577 towards Alzheimer’s research the day of the run. And later, his total was over $800.

“I just want to be able to show people that things that may seem impossible can be achieved, whether it be running for 12 hours straight or finding a cure for Alzheimer’s anything can be done as long as you do it one step at a time.” – Andrew

https://sites.google.com/site/aruntorememberceproject/