Update: I survived the race! Thanks to all for your amazing support and encouragement. I couldn’t have done this without you. Final time was 23:58 and we raised over $25,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. Click here for a recap of the weekend with pictures.
a run to remember | july 19, 2008
Why Alzheimer’s?
In 2007, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and currently lives with the condition. My fiancee Natalie Harrison also lost her grandmother to the disease three years ago. Every 71 seconds, another person in the US is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and it’s estimated that 10 million Baby Boomers will ultimately be affected. There is presently no cure. In some way, this touches all of us, and it’s my hope that the funds raised here will contribute to cutting edge research, powerful insights and an end to this terrible disease.
Why a 100-Mile Race?
Ever since my friends in college convinced me to run as a “bandit” in the Boston Marathon in 1995, running has held a special place in my heart. 13 years and 35 marathons later, I look to my next challenge -- my first 100-mile race. The Vermont 100 Endurance Race, according to the website, is “one of the original 100 mile runs and part of the Grand Slam series of Ultrarunning. Each year, 300 runners attempt to finish this hilly race over beautiful Vermont back roads and trails under the 30-hour cutoff point, and a well-trained few finish in under 24 hours.” Translation: gulp. I’m doing this for the challenge, for the love of running, and possibly, in some small way, to inspire others to pursue those dreams that seem crazy on the surface but that can actually be achieved with strategy, faith and hard work.
pictured above: jeff with his grandmother and father during the ’07 holidays.
stats and facts:
number in US / world with alzheimer’s: 5.2 million / 26.6 million
where alzheimer’s association spends its money: 82% of funds dedicated to support, research, awareness and advocacy (18% admin and fundraising)
alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death
Source: Alzheimer’s Association
about the run:
Aaron Soule
Abigail Wise
Alex Ten Holter
Alex Manini
Alexandra Jennings
Alison Cahill
Amanda Freeman
Andre Martinelli
Andrew Goldberger
Andrew Weinfeld
Ann-Marie Koss
Anya Kattef
Arash Farin
Armen Panossian
Ashley Williams
Benjamin Wanger
Bernard Berman
Blair Dunn
Bob Poushanchi
Bonnie Um
Brad Golding
Brad Rodrigues
Brandon Miller
Brett Johnson
Brian McCabe
Bruce Gutkin
Bryan Sanderson
Camille Granato
Carly Seidewand
Carol Ahn
Chad Scripps
Christopher Kelly
Christoper Sommers
Cindy Rold
Claude Wagner
Clayton Jones
Clifton Ma
Courtney Butler
Craig Lapekas
Daniel Roitman
Dave & Iva Naffziger
David Chapman
David Corris
David O’Neill
David Latham
David Rodriguez
Dazhi Chen
Dennis King
Derek Hines
Derek Syphrett
Donald Destino
Doug Smith
Eric Bevan
Eric Kriegstein
Franz Zerrudo
George Ross
Giselle Crosa
Glenn Nano
Greenlight Capital
Harry & Irina Brandler
Helen Gorgoni
Ian Isaacs
Jaime Alvarez
Jason Henrichs
Jason Gulbinas
Jeff Chow
Jeffrey LeBlanc
Jeffrey Talbert
Jennifer Goff
Jennifer Hoos
Jeremy Singer
Jessica Jungk
Jim & Cathy LeBlanc
amount raised to date: $25,474
Looking for other ways to help the cause?
Become an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer. Click here to find out more about how you can play a part, including volunteering at local chapters or centers, participating in the Memory Walk and becoming an advocate for research funding.
many thanks to all donors and sponsors!
Jim Kunihiro
Jo Navarro
John Carson
John Charecky
John DiBacco
John Koski
Jon Paarlberg
Jordan & Sarah Hymowitz
Josh Kattef
Joshua Haacker
Joshua Sandbulte
Julian Swearengin
June Yoshinari Davis
Justin Lepone
Keith LaScalea
Kenneth Blackman
Key Kiarie
Kim Thompson
Kirsten Firminger
Kristin Latimer
Kyla & Tim Hemler
Ladislas Goldberger
Laurent de Vitton
Lee Hambright
Len Goldberg
Lisa Forman
Lori LeBlanc
Maia Sauro
Manjari & Neel Bhatia
Mark Coles
Matthew Lozow
Mei Hu
Melissa Schwartz
Merrill Lynch
Michael Applebaum
Michael Berry
Michael Fitzgerald
Michael Jaffe
Milton Lewin
Morio Alexander
Nat & Peggy Harrison
Natalie Banas
Natalie Harrison
Navin Thukkaram
Owen Wilson
Paul Mashikian
Peter Keel
Reuben Kopel
Robert Nardi
Robert O’Brien
Salman Khan
Sam Rouse
Sanket Patel
Sara Bergson
Shan-Shan Lee
Shawn Saint
Sifiso Ngwenya
Stefan Bewley
Stephanie Peters
Steven Jonas
Tejal Mody
Thad Johnson
Thomas Barber
Tiffany Foa
Tim Zue
Todd Lawton
Tony Racanelli
Tracey Bolton
Vlad Artamonov
Whitney Tilson
William Ward
Winny Rush
Zac & Steffany Lee
Updated 7/30