Today is an exciting day. Today we are launching our nonprofit, The Ordinary Marathoner Foundation!
This project started out with the idea that runners, in general, are supportive and kind-hearted people who love their sport and love to give back. We know very well the sport of running can offer benefits to physical fitness, overall health, and mental well-being, yet too many people believe that it is not for them. Too many people think they don’t fit the mold of what they believe is a typical “runner.” And many people with athletic backgrounds remember the act of running as being used only as a punishment.
Well, running is also something pretty much anyone can do. Year after year, more and more “ordinary” people try their hand at running, often accomplishing things they never thought they could do before.
Intertwined amongst the competition, you’d expect to find self-centered, “win-at-all-cost” personality-types. But no. That’s not it at all. In fact, it’s pretty much the exact opposite. Runners are typically friendly, adore their sport, and love to encourage other runners through the trials and tribulations of training.
When the idea emerged to start a nonprofit, we didn’t have a very good projection of exactly what we wanted to do. What we did know was that our community consisted of the best sort of people – kind people, generous people. Add a little organization, guidance, and creativity, and the “doing good” part of charity would certainly materialize.
As we marched ever-so-slowly through the legal process of starting a nonprofit, ideas came together from multiple places.
An autistic Ironman athlete from Texas with a PhD wants to start a program to introduce other autistic athletes to training for long distance racing.
A Marine Corps veteran from North Carolina wants to find ways to get athletic equipment to military veterans.
A hearing-impaired teacher from Oklahoma with visions of an Ironman finish wants to develop coaching strategies for deaf track athletes.
A selfless fireman, foster-parent and adoptive father from North Dakota also with eyes on an Ironman future wants to help former athletes deal with the stresses of post-athletic life.
And my wife Stefany and I would like to start running clinics for children.
All of these incredible ideas were borne not out of some short-term strategy for wealth and fame, but a long-term goal of helping people who need direction and access to the sports we all love. As these programs forge their way through the development stage, we are analyzing their needs for things like funding, insurance, facilities, volunteers and equipment.
Simply put, the more money we raise, the more programs we will be able to put into motion and, ultimately, the more people we will reach.
Our goal for today is to raise $5,000.00. It may not sound like much, but it will go a long way to getting some of our initial programs off the ground.
We know we approach you with a great deal of ambition and we are asking for a measure of trust. Our Board Members and Directors will not accept any compensation for 2021. They have worked tirelessly to get this organization started, in addition to maintaining their personal and professional lives. Seeing the organization flourish quickly and make a strong impact through the implementation of our programs would be the best payback for their hard work.
Your support is going to make a difference. Thank you.