Rising Hearts Charity Runners!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR CHARITY BIB RUNNERS!
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
charity BIB RUNNERS 2025
Pronouns: He/Him Los Angeles
Kevin Maher is a Los Angeles local who Choreographs & Creative Directs for the biggest artists in music. He has worked with Madonna, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, New Kids on The Block, Nicki Minaj & so many more. Whenever he's not busy working he’s teaching dance to the younger generation globally.
Race: LA Marathon
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED:
Follow Kevin on IG: @kmaher56
Candace is now a two-time Wander Project x Rising Hearts charity bib runner! And fellow RH Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate.
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.
Race: 2025 Shiprock Marathon | May
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1000
FUNDS RAISED: $632
Follow Candace on IG:@candacegonzo
I love the collaboration, community, and support between RH and RER. This is so important for amplifying our voices, advocacy, and fundraising efforts. Both organizations work and advocate to increase knowledge about climate justice, elevate and amplify community members, their voices, and their work, and to find connection and community through movement (in addition to SO many other efforts). By working with both organizations, we can amplify our financial and advocacy impacts to benefit both the RER and RH on one of the running world’s largest stages, the Boston Marathon! Half of what I fundraise will go directly towards RER and half to RH.
Race: 2025 Boston Marathon | April
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED: $225
Follow Kelsey on IG: @kels_landrum
Boozhoo indinawemaaganidog, I’m Shayla Rae Manitowabi Huebner (kwe/she/her), Odawa from Wiikwemkoong First Nation and Bear Clan. I grew up in Michigan and now live in New Mexico, where I continue to advocate for, support, and uplift Indigenous voices and communities.
Rising Hearts has been a turning point, a source of light, and a foundation of support in my life. It has profoundly shaped my journey, providing the community, purpose, and advocacy that fuel my passions. 2025 is a ‘make-or-break’ year for Rising Hearts, and I want to step up and help ensure their work—creating space for advocacy, movement, and storytelling—continues. I’ve witnessed firsthand how Rising Hearts changes lives, and want to contribute to their sustainability for years to come.
Race: Epic Half Marathon in Green Bay WI | May
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED: $87
Follow Shayla on IG: @shaylaraemh
Ya’at’eeh (Hello), my name is Ivana Holiday. Preferred name is Vana. I am a member of the Diné (Navajo) tribe. I am of the Coyote Pass-Jemez People clan and born for Black Sheep People clan. My maternal grandfather’s clan is Towering House People and my paternal grandfather’s clan is Folded Arms People clan. I was raised in the Kayenta/Monument Valley area. My pronouns are she/her.
There was a time in my life when I was unable to walk and run. At a young age, I was hit by a vehicle. I learned that someone’s ability to walk and run can be taken from them. I feel that running is a huge part of my journey as a Navajo woman, and it means a lot to me. To me, running means running for those who can’t. It means being able to push myself to finish those last few miles. Through running, I can express my gratitude and being a charity runner allows me to do that. To raise funds for resources and opportunities for other folks to experience some form of body movement is a way for me to continue my efforts of running for others.
I will be running the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. My goal for this race is to enjoy the energy from the community and do my best to run it. This will be my second year running this race, so hopefully I will reach a new personal record.
Race: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon | April
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $800
FUNDS RAISED: $432
Follow Ivana on IG: @iholiday13
Daryl ‘Stretch’ Murphy has been running a 5k a day everyday as a silent protest against oppression. I call the initiative Miles For Justice and raise money to help marginalized communities. He has run multiple marathons, half marathons and other races during this time. He is also a new father!
Daryl will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon with a handful of Rising Hearts runners this year! He has been a RH Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate since June 2021 and continues to inspire community and those around him. Funds raised support the Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate Collective.
Miles For Justice is a grassroots social justice initiative running a 5k a day to advance more equitable communities through education and athletics. Our ultimate goal is to bridge the opportunity gap and create a level playing field for all people regardless of race, economic status, or industry. We move closer to that goal by creating space and opportunity for marginalized groups through education and athletics. Our founder, Mr. Murphy runs 5km (3.1mi) every day (since 4/13/2020) as a form of resistance and silent protest against oppression while raising awareness on the inequalities that perpetuate the status quo. The 5k a day run streak is the driving force behind Miles For Justice and will continue until the economic disparities and opportunity gaps in American society subside.
You can learn more at: www.milesforjustice.org
Listen to Daryl’s story with The SPARC Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/79vMJmKwndZwDQNSMjozzq?si=6625aa40b1284b28
Race: 2025 Boston Marathon | April
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED:
Follow Daryl on IG: @stretchmurphy
My name is Nate Crail (they/them), and I reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I’m Filipino-American originally from the Chicago area. I’ve been running since fifth grade, but I ran my first half in 2022 and full marathon in 2023. I’ve run three road marathons (Chicago 2023, Berlin 2024, NYC 2024) where I’ve placed top-three in the non-binary division at each.
Yes, this is my first time as a charity runner! I'm really excited to support Rising Hearts and help the organization further their imperative mission.
My training for Tokyo has gone wonderfully! I ran the most I've ever run in a month in January and feel ready to run as fast as possible while still having fun!
Nate ran the 2025 Tokyo Marathon! We will share updates on how it went!
+ Fave Run tunes: // usually whichever audiobook or podcast I'm currently listening to, but if I need a pick-me-up, I'll listen to Charli XCX's "brat" or FKA twigs' "eusexua".
+ Fave Run fuel: // Precision Fuel & Hydration PF30 Gel
+ Fave shoes: // My favorite training shoe is the Asics Superblast 2, my favorite trail shoe is the Norda 001, and my favorite racing shoe is %%%
+ One unique fact about yourself: // My ears are different sizes!
Race: 2025 The Marathon Project | December
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED:
Follow Nate on IG: @natekale
Prounouns: He/Him
I am a Mexican American/Chicano, a father of two and a runner of twenty-three years. Running has always been a big part of my life from being a student athlete, coaching high schoolers, leading group runs and working in a fulfillment center for running gear. I find peace and joy when I push and challenge my body when running. It reminds me that I can make it through what challenges come my way in life. Running Javelina Jundrerd and fundraising for Rising Hearts this year will be a great challenge for me that I am excited to pursue.
Race: Javelina Jundred
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $4,000
FUNDS RAISED:
Follow August on IG: @walter_b87
Pronouns: He/Him Illinois
My name is August Grell! I'm from Chicago, IL but over the past few years I've been honored to represent amazing charities at some of the world's greatest races. Both with my running and in my career as a compensation analyst, labor economist and translator, I have a strong dedication to advocate for pay equality, civil rights and environmental issues. I use he/him/his pronouns, I'm half Nahua (indigenous to central and southern Mexico), and I'm a pround member of the lgbtq community.
Follow August on IG: @techno.slut
Let’s cheer August on at Shiprock Marathon! Fundraising goal: $2,000!
My name is Jesse. I live and run in the lands of the Lenni Lenape, Lenapehocking, also known as Philadelphia. I love running remote trails as much as urban streets. I co-lead a number of running groups in Philly: Chasing Trail, a trail running group, The Dry Run, a monthly sober running event, and Runners for Justice in Palestine, a social justice focused run club centered around raising awareness for Palestine. I appreciate the joy and discipline that running gives me, but I want to be able to use it for something more than just self improvement.
+ Why do you want to be a charity runner?
Two years ago during a race I was listening to "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer as I ran. The deep sadness and enduring beauty of her stories had me literally weeping on the trail. I love these lands and trails, but I am a newcomer to them. I was moved to honor the indigenous caretakers of the land, to learn more and do more.
And as I learn more, the history of colonialism, imperialism, and my personal connection to it, I care more and more about folks and communities around the world that don't have the same privilege and freedom that I have. Running is simple, easy, primal, but requires ephemeral things that we take for granted, time, safety, rest, space. As I learn and advocate for my global family in places like Palestine, I want to also bring that energy to my own community, to the lands I live in and run on.
Running can also be resistance. To unhealthier versions of ourselves. To our capitalistic society telling us to be productive and consume. To colonial power structures that want to keep us compliant.
I recognize my privilege. I recognize that I run on land that was forcibly taken by some of my own ancestors. I recognize that running can be a selfish endeavor. And so I want to use my love for running to give back in some way.
+ Why Rising Hearts and Heal Palestine?
As I consider what it means to run for something bigger than me, for justice, it makes sense to start at the most basic place, the land where I live. As an indigenous organization that advocates directly within the running community, Rising Hearts was the obvious choice for me.. But beyond that, Rising Hearts also understands the intersectionality of our struggles, and I appreciate how they embody that. Advocating for racial justice, for LGBTQIA+ rights, for justice in Gaza, these are all arms of the same struggle for liberation and justice, and Rising Hearts recognizes this. I’m honored to be able to represent them in this fundraising effort.
I also chose to share my fundraising efforts with Heal Palestine. In light of the immeasurable suffering being inflicted on the Palestinian people, over the past 76 years, but especially in the past year, Heal Palestine is providing food, aid, shelter, medical aid, and basic necessities to the people of Gaza and Palestine, particularly to children affected by the violence and genocide.
+ Share about Runners for Justice in Palestine
In light of the accelerated genocide and violence in Palestine and Gaza in the past year, I helped co-found a running group in Philadelphia, Runners for Justice in Palestine Philly. Our goal is to gather folks who care and who run, to be in solidarity, to embody running as resistance, and to advocate and spread awareness for the reality of the situation in Gaza and Palestine. We meet every other week for a social run and walk. And in doing so, we've grown a community that extends beyond our runs. We meet up for protests and for social events, and we collaborate with other local orgs such as Families for Ceasefire, Yogis for Palestine, Philly Muslim Freedom Fund, and Students for Justice in Palestine.
+ What race and do you have a goal for this run?
I am training for the Javelina 100 mile race in October. I made it to 60 miles last year, and I desperately want to go back and finish it. I am going to focus my training on some areas that I lacked in last year. This includes getting a proper coach and putting some real work in. My goal is to break 24 hours, something I’ve never been able to accomplish at a 100 miler.
+ How's training going?
Training is just getting started. It’s been a slow cold winter, but as Spring warms things up I’m excited to turn it up.
+ Fave Run tunes:
I honestly listen to podcasts on most runs. But when I need a boost its hardcore, pop punk, and emo.Lifetime, Get Up Kids, Rage Against the Machine, Promise Ring, Inside Out, etc. And maybe some old school drum and bass if I need to zone out.
+ Fave Run fuel:
Bananas and PBJ.
+ Fave shoes:
I’ve run almost exclusively in Altra Olympus, but last year I really enjoyed running in a couple pairs of On Cloudultras
+ One unique fact about yourself: I have 3 teenage daughters that I’ve been a single parent to for half the week for the past 14 years.
Race: Javelina Jundred | October
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $2,000
FUNDS RAISED:
Follow Jesse on IG: @jessefive
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!