PAST RUNS
Run Free Alabama
THE PLAN
On…
THE CAUSE
EJI
THE PICS
Run Free Vermont
THE PLAN
In the evening of June 30, I set out, supported by a cheering squad of four, from Burlington, VT, heading southeast through Montpelier. If all went as planned, we would have ended up at the state line in Hanover well ahead of the fireworks with stops for Ben and Jerry’s, Whistlepig, and maybe even my alma mater, Norwich University. All did not go as planned - floods, fires, and toddler stomach bugs threw some major wrenches in those plans. We adapted and rerouted and rerouted again until we arrived at the New Hampshire state line on July 29, 2023.
THE CAUSE
The Winooski News is a community-based news service in Vermont's most culturally and linguistically diverse city, with original content in, and translation into, eight of Winooski's community languages. Our newspaper comes out every two weeks, with more than 90 local stories in the past year, by pairing high school and college student reporters with a part-time editor to provide community-scale content at no cost to our neighbors. The vision of The Winooski News is to “peel back the layers” on quickly evolving stories about the people and places that make up the Onion City.
Local news is the heart of an informed populace, and now more than ever, we need local news.
THE PICS
Run Free Michigan
September 6-29, 2020
THE PLAN
“The Plan,” Ha! After a van breakdown, and three rides from friends, on September 6th, my crew and headed out to cross the mitten in the north - Michigan! Covering ~15 miles a day, and overcoming a stomach bug, we logged just under 100 miles in 8 days. At 20 weeks pregnant, we picked trail on Sept 25 and hit the Detroit River on September 29, staying at local farms and towns, dodging one 2020 curve ball after the next along the way.
THE CAUSE
The 18th state was in support of the Michigan Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Michigan is dedicated to support the growth and success of Michigan’s military veterans through agriculture. FVC-MI develops and administers programs specifically designed to meet the needs of farmer veterans in the state of Michigan, and collaborates with veteran and agricultural organizations within the state to ensure Michigan farmer veterans are given the best opportunity to become successful and sustainable within the agricultural community.
THE PICS
Run Free Northeast
June 13 - July 2, 2020
THE PLAN
On June 13, 2020, my team and I set out to cross three states on foot - Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania. We avoided cities and adhered to all the social distance guidelines we can find (and probably a few that aren't even official :) In true 2020 fashion, nothing really went according to plan. Among flexing family obligations, excited new work opportunities, and a new transmission for the van, we hit the PA state line on July 2 with an amazing trio of siblings from Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
THE CAUSES
Overall we raised $2,000 for three incredible causes.
Hope Harvest in RI, which mobilizes volunteers to rescue food from local farms and deliver to local hunger relief agencies. Prevent food waste AND feed the hungry? Sign us up.
Hour Children in NY, which serves the children of incarcerated women - helping to break the cycle of poverty and incarceration.
Alex's Lemonade Stand in PA, a child cancer research and support organization that is in critical need of donations to support their immune compromised kiddos during the pandemic.
THE ROUTE
Run Free Louisiana - Mississippi
January 3, 2020 - January 16, 2020
THE PLAN
On January 3, 2020, Linda, Diana, and I set out from the Texas/Louisiana state line and ran ~30 miles a day for two weeks, hitting the Mississippi- Alabama line on January 16, 2020. Along the way, we raised money for two fantastic local charities.
THE CAUSES
Louisiana’s run was dedicated to the Young Leadership Council (YLC), a 501(c)(3) New Orleans-based nonprofit that, through volunteer-led community projects, develops young professionals into leaders and positively impacts quality of life in the region. The oldest, independent young professionals’ organization in the country, YLC has raised more than $25 million to develop leadership through community projects in and around the New Orleans area since 1986. Read more about their great work here.
Mississippi’s run was dedicated to the Meridian Freedom Project, with the the mission “to create a corps of academically capable, socially conscious, and mentally disciplined young leaders in Meridian, Mississippi.” The Meridian Freedom Project envisions “the day when young people growing up in Meridian, Mississippi, have the support and resources to achieve the same educational opportunities as children anywhere in America.” Read more about their work and programs here.
STRAVA LINKS
Run Free PCT
July 9, 2019 - September 24, 2019
THE PLAN
On July 11th (after hiking 2 days north) I set off with my partner from the Canadian border and start walking south towards Mexico. On September 24 my Aunt Cathy passed away, and we re-prioritized, headed home to be with family and decided we missed our safe weather window to enter the Sierras, leaving Oregon and Washington crossed, and California unfinished.
THE CAUSE
We raised money for three causes near and dear to my heart. Money raised during the Washington portion was donated to wear blue: run to remember - an organization that honors our fallen by building communities around running. Money raised during the Oregon portion was donated to Warrior Expeditions - an organization that helps heal and transition with outdoor adventures. Money raised across California was donated to Team Hoyt San Diego - an organization that helps spread inclusion through sport.
STRAVA LINKS
Way too many! Check out my strava or Garmin connect profile to verify (then teach me how to do that)
Run Free Missouri
May 23-30, 2019
The PLAN
On May 23, 2019 I, along with my support crew, started from Kansas City, MO toward St. Louis. Midwestern storms and flooded out roads quickly made us change our route, pushing north to finish at Hannibal, MO on May 30, 2019
The CAUSE
We raised money for Infant Loss Resources, a small Missouri-based non-profit that seeks to provide grief counseling and support after a sudden infant loss and to educate caretakers on safe sleep practices. As part of their prevention program, they provide "pack and play" sleep systems to those parents without cribs, providing safe sleep options.
I chose ILR in honor of Pierce Brown, the son of a childhood friend (Mikka) who passed suddenly in June of 2017. Mikka found support in Infant Loss Resources during the worst time of her life. $65 purchases one pack and play for a family. We raised enough money for 20 pack and plays.
STRAVA LINKS
Run Free Massachusetts
April 9-15, 2019
The PLAN
On April 9, 2019 I started east from the western border of Massachusetts, running 25 miles for four days and 19 miles on day five. After a day of rest, Id completed the Boston Marathon with Team Hoyt on April 15. Check out my route.
THE GOAL
Through generous support from members of Team Hoyt, we raised $6,500 for the Team Hoyt Foundation.
STRAVA LINKS
Run Free Georgia
March 29-31, 2019
THE PLAN
At 5:00am on March 29, I set out with eight other runners to run from Savannah, GA to St. Mary’s, GA, 155 along the coastline of Georgia. While it’s certainly not the longest way to cross the state, but it’s 155 miles in 60 hours, so I think I’ll still be challenged. Read more about the race here.
THE CAUSE
We raised $660 for the Georgia Conservancy.
RESULTS
I’ve uploaded two strava runs, because a garmin does not have a 60 hour battery life (and also mine apparently has a max of 122.5 miles of tracking), Strava doesn’t tell the complete story. Official race results here: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=56919
Run Free South Carolina
March 1-7, 2019
THE PLAN
On March 1, 2019 I started at the northern border of South Carolina, running down Hwy 21 until I reached Port Royal on March 7. Check out my route.
THE CAUSE
Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail are dedicated to improving the quality of life in Northern Beaufort County by advocating for the development, enhancement and maintenance of the Spanish Moss Trail – through community partnerships, local government participation, and private support.
The story of the Spanish Moss Trail begins with the historic Magnolia Line Railroad – established in 1870. Railroad operations ceased in 2003 and in 2008 Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority acquired the right-of-way to use as a utility corridor. In January 2011, they granted a surface easement to Beaufort County to develop 14 miles of the corridor as a recreational trail – called the Spanish Moss Trail.
Since 2013, nearly 7 miles of the Trail have been developed and are open to the hundreds of people who use it each day, connecting the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal.
Through your generous donations, we raised over $3000 for the Spanish Moss Trail!