Good luck to Rising Hearts Charity Runners!
RUN WITH PURPOSE.
GOOD LUCK TO OUR CHARITY BIB RUNNERS!
RUNNER’S AT CIM AND FOUR CORNERS QUAD KEYAH
Hello Community!
Let’s celebrate these amazing humans! Our charity runners, who have said yes, have helped promote Rising Hearts and have helped fundraise for the heart work we are grateful to keep doing.
We have a handful of runners who have helped fundraise for us! No matter large or small, that financial support has it’s place to be and support in the heart work we do!
Learn a bit more about our runners, their why and what’s to come!
- Rising Hearts
California International Marathon runners!
Meet Xavier! Xavier has helped raise $635 for us so far!!
Why CIM?
I want to run CIM because it's one of my dream races. When I first began my journey, year after year I saw many runners excited and preparing for CIM. So naturally, I wrote it down. I like to think of this as my right of passage.
Why Rising Hearts?
I chose to run for Rising Hearts because I truly believe in the work of this organization. From Running with purpose, Running on native lands, and No more stolen relatives, I resonate and would like to do everything I can to bring change and make my strides count. Hearing Kelsey speak so passionately brought me to tears.
I began running in mid 2020. I love how running allows you to meet and build relationships with people of different backgrounds.
If you were to run a marathon with a complete stranger, I guarantee it would be as if you've known each other for years. The challenge of running is also a highlight. No matter how long you do it, it never gets easier, only more bearable. Which makes it rewarding.
Lastly, running is both a form of therapy and expression for me. When I'm on the road or trail, none of the challenges in my personal life weigh on me.
I am free and feel seen.
For me, running with purpose means doing everything we can as runners to bring true change. Make our strides impactful for the lives of others.
Follow Xavier on IG: @xavierihendrix
Let’s cheer Xavier on at CIM on December 8th!
We are rooting for you!!!!! Have the best time and thank you so much for fundraising for RH!
Why CIM?
I want run CIM as a future reference, for me since I got into running and thought of CIM as if I’m going to ever try to qualify for Boston then CIM is where I’m going to do it. Occasionally I’d watch YouTube on people who ran it so I can further understand as to why this is one of best qualifiers for Boston and with this opportunity with Rising Hearts I get to say I ran CIM, I will use it as a guide to prepare for later on.
Why Rising Hearts?
I ran in my teenage years of completing the Los Angeles marathon twice in 2005 and 2006.
Just recently in 2021, I picked it back up again as a way of healing after a horrible car wreck of March that year where I almost lost my life. It started out with walking to help strengthen my back, then lite jogging, and after getting the go ahead for the doctor of seeing my spine fused back together. I trained hard all that summer and by October I completed the the Run Crazy Horse marathon before the cut off time of 7hrs. Fast forward to now 2024 of completing my 17th marathon of running Run Crazy Horse for the 4th time of my new PR of 4:32:11, each marathon I’m getting slightly faster and better.
Running with Purpose for me I run with an Eagle feather and that gets some questions of who I am and where I come from.
I’ve met some diverse and wonderful people along my running journey and when I post about where I ran I want it to bring hope to the Rez kids and to show the people my age that change is possible through running, making what seems impossible to possible.
Follow Derek on IG: @derekthunderhawk
Let’s cheer Derek on at CIM on December 8th!
Always good to see our relatives out here - wopila tanka, many thanks for reaching out and joining us! Good luck, pray with your feet, have fun!
Meet Josue! Cristian has helped raise $211 for Rising Hearts!
Why CIM?
I want to run CIM because I haven't ran it in a couple years and I feel that my health has improved tremendously. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2020. Since then, I lost weight, changed my lifestyle, and started running again. However, this year in particular, I have applied more discipline on myself and I'm in the best shape I've been in, in a long time. I'm looking forward to hitting a PR this year!
Why Rising Hearts?
I chose Rising Hearts to run for because they have been inspiring me for years. I see them building community and opening doors for people to provide representation. Being a person of color, that means a great deal to me and if my contribution can assist them in their goals, I am honored to be part of it!
I have been running regularly for 4 years. I ran a lot in high school and early college but took somewhere of an 8 year hiatus. My health suffered as a result which brought me back into the sport.
Running With Purpose to me is a way to describe that each step I take has meaning and to run for those who can't. In a broader light, so much comes to mind. I have been running regularly for 4 years. I ran a lot in highschool and early college but took somewhere of an 8 year hiatus.
My health suffered as a result which brought me back into the sport. Running With Purpose to me is a way to describe that each step I take has meaning and to run for those who can't. In a broader light, so much comes to mind. For example, there are places on this earth where it might not be safe to run. Those places might not be safe for people looking a certain way, being in an area where war or violence are the norm, and some places can be going through harsh environmental changes where it makes running difficult.
We can also run for the folks who are physically or mentally challenged. We can run for the people trying to improve and reach a level in their health where they can walk, jog, or run. Finally, running for others who can't, also means to run for the family and friends who have passed away, to run for the future generations, and to run for the people today who look like me. In a sum of it all, I believe Running With Purpose is running for and with others. I believe it's a perspective that provides kindness and community.
It's a way to strengthen and lift up communities because where some can't or are struggling to do something, someone else can do it for them. It's a way to inspire, motivate, and assist to strengthen ourselves as a whole.
Follow Josue on IG: @ultra.josue
Let’s cheer Josue on at CIM on December 8th! We, Rising Hearts, can’t thank you enough!
Meet Cristian! Cristian has helped raise $50 for Rising Hearts!
Why CIM?
I want to run CIM because it’s a great challenge both physically and mentally being able to keep your body moving for 26 miles is pretty impressive!
Why Rising Hearts?
When Dalia let our run group know about the chance to possibly run CIM and that it would be through Rising Hearts I did some research and I thought it was a great group to work with and represent since I share some of the same values of wanting a better, safer future and environment for all.
I have been running since early 2020 I started a little before the pandemic and once the pandemic started and I had more free time I started running more regularly and haven’t stopped since.
Running with purpose to me means running with a goal but not just a personal one, it’s to motivate and inspire others around you. In my case as a person who comes from Mexico the phrase “brown faces in white spaces” resonates with me because most of the time I go to a run it isn’t that diverse.
I try to change that by getting my friends and family to join me at some of the local run clubs or races and I have been able to get some folks to join me but not as many as I would like. So with this opportunity I hope to reach a wider audience and show them that anyone can be a runner regardless of size and ethnicity.
Follow Cristian on IG: @tangoo.s
Let’s cheer Cristian on at CIM on December 8th!
Thank you so much for being part of this heart work with us!
The Wander Project x RH Runner!
Meet Candace! She has surpassed her $1,500 for Rising Hearts! And you can continue to donate until she finishes on Sunday, 12/8.
Candace is now a two-time Wander Project x Rising Hearts charity bib runner! She ran the Saguaro Half Marathon in Tucson, February 2023!
Rising Hearts is important to me as a non-profit because it is an Indigenous led grassroots organization committed to the heart work of elevating Indigenous voices, and promoting and supporting intersectional collaborative efforts across all forms in movement collective community with the goals of racial, social, climate and economic justice through movement.
We love and appreciate you, Candace! Your support, your joy, passion and commitment, MEANS THE WORLD!