Rising Hearts Charity Runners Run Reflections
WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR ATHLETE ADVOCATES!
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!
Xavier Hendrix
When running, I am constantly reminded that this will never get easier.
That's why I love it so much. The unpredictability of what each moment holds. When on the course, my plan completely fell apart. I went from soaring to being in a state of survival within moments. I always say this, but I am truly grateful for all the support from my family friends, and community. When In that state of survival, I just knew all I had to do was make it to mile 13 and mile 24. Knowing I would have a cheer squad filled with my family. Allowed me to soar once more. That’s what I did soared right to the finish. With support from family friends and the community, the fundraising goal was crushed within a week. It was heartwarming to see I have those who truly care for me. Thanks so much to everyone who supported and still supports me along this journey. I’ll be back, me and this course has unfinished business.
Until then, I will be taking on “The Speed Project” with my team M.O.B (Miles Over Barriers)
Photo credit: Miya Hirabayashi
Her instagram is hey_miya
Cristian Sanchez
First I would like to start by saying thank you to Rising Hearts for the opportunity, it was great the goal was to go out there and have some fun which I did, a bit of a struggle after mile 20 but with the support of my partner and family following me through the last few miles I was able to finish strong. The fundraising was nice, even though I only got to half of the goal, but I’m still glad I was able to help raise something so that Rising Hearts can put that towards the awesome stuff they do. Next up I would like to do a couple of half marathons and definitely do CIM and I would like to PR at all of them and if it’s alright I will continue to use the Rising Hearts singlet at these races.
Quad Keyah
Candace Gonzales
This December I ran as a Charity Bib Runner for Rising Hearts in the Quad Keyah. A running event where participants run a half marathon or marathon in four days and in four states. Quad Keyah means Four Lands in the Navajo language, and this race took place at the Four Corners Monument where the states Arizonia, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico intersect. The four states being on Dine, Pueblos and Ute lands. I chose to participate in the trail half marathon. It was a privilege to be able to participate in this event and run on these beautiful Native lands. I’ve always believed that nature is healing and there is a spiritual aspect about running with the land and this race was both healing and spiritual. The community in the area welcomed runners and shared life experiences with us. We heard from an elder who spoke to us in Dine and shared with runners the horrors he and other Indigenous peoples experienced when they were placed in residential schools and stripped of culture. We also heard the national anthem sung in Dine. A song that carries so much weight for BIPOC due to the racial injustice in our county, however hearing it in Dine was powerful. It was these moments that made this event special and like nothing I ever experienced before. Saturday was a challenging day for me mentally. I was really struggling to find my purpose to race. This was day three. Maybe because I was struggling and being challenged mentally it was why this day was the most spiritual day on the trail for me. It was the day I would cry and feel the healing powers of nature as well as my father’s presence. Wild horses ran across the racecourse right in front of me and at this moment I knew that I was running with nature and exactly where I needed to be, and those mental challenges of earlier went away and I found my purpose again. This race was extremely challenging both physically and mentally. However, when I remembered my purpose, I was able to accomplish each half marathon each day. My purpose was to run for Rising Hearts, and all the good relatives in my life who supported my efforts and Rising Hearts with their donations. To grow as a runner and to continue to learn as an advocate. I still can’t fully put into words how this race impacted me but what I can say it was a privilege and an experience that I am fortunate to have. For that I will forever be grateful.
Run with purpose
Thanks to the 11 runners we have, turning their passion into purpose! Using running to fundraise for Rising Hearts! So far, we are close to $15,000 for 2024! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running! We hope to find 10 runners for 2025!
2025 RACES ARE OPEN!
OPTION ONE:
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
OPTION TWO:
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $500
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!