It’s crazy to think you can run a million miles, right?
Well then, call these 60-plus Wilton runners verrrrrry crazy. They’ve signed up to take part in the “Million Mile Run,” a nationwide challenge to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer. The Run is being organized by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for September’s “Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.”
Each of the Wilton residents participating will be running or walking 100 miles* in the month of September, getting donations and logging miles toward the national goal of one million miles total logged.
So far the Wilton team—informally dubbed the “Wilton Cure-iors”—is in the lead nationally for fundraising and miles logged. After just two days so far into the September effort, the team has already raised more than $17,700. According to team organizer, Jeff Snyder, the goal is to raise $20,000, but in reality they hope to blow past that goal and raise much more.
The team kicked off the month-long endeavor Monday morning at the Wilton Warriors Fujitani field. The posed for a group shot and then inaugurated the month with an informal 5K “fun run” from the track to Allen’s Meadow and back again. Speaking to the group before everyone started running, Snyder energized them with thanks and a little competitive motivation.
“It’s no surprise that Wilton is leading the country. You all are awesome, absolutely incredible. The founder of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Jay Scott, is a big runner, and he can’t believe we’re in the lead. He’s having special meetings to get his own team motivated to beat us. It’s that kind of Wilton spirit that is going to lead the country and help raise so much money and awareness. Great job!”
Snyder added that the team is still eager to add any runners interested in taking part, even if 100 miles seems out of reach. “It’s critical that we get as many miles as we can. It’s absolutely not too late to get involved. Do they have to log 100 miles? Absolutely not—we’ll take 10 miles. It’s a combined effort, a team effort that everyone is a part of.”
GOOD Morning Wilton is sponsoring the Wilton Cure-iors’ team with continued coverage and donation of advertising space and dollars.
“GOOD Morning Wilton is all about what this effort is: It’s Wilton coming together as a community to do amazing things for one another, for Wilton and for the world. The spirit of this team shows the heart of what Wilton is and we want to celebrate that—and get as many people to take part in it and support it as possible,” explained Heather Borden Herve, the editor and founder of the site.
Readers can donate online at the team’s donation page. Anyone interested in participating, there’s still time to take part; contact Jeff Synder at jsnyder@inspiramarketing.com for more information.