I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again here, 2023 is going to be a big year for Run4Ben!
The 2023 Detroit Free Press Marathon
Sunday, October 15th
Jamen, Ben, and Team23 - The Kirk Gibson Foundation, Drive Toward a Cure, and The Phoenix take on the Free Press Marathon!
Our biggest event will be the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday, October 15th. This will be the fourth year that I’ll be running the Detroit Free Press Marathon and the first time I’ll be running it with my dad. My dad cannot physically run the marathon, Parkinson’s has taken his ability to stand, walk or run. My dad will be in our custom Run4Ben, Hoyt Running Chair and I’ll be pushing it through the streets of Detroit and over the bridge into Canada! We have already been busy training using his current, standard wheelchair. You can follow along as we train at our social media channels.
Our GoFundMe campaign for the Hoyt Running Chair in July of this year raised $6,735 dollars in less than a week! Our goal was $6,000 for the chair and customization. With the additional money I was able to register my dad for the Detroit Marathon and also upgrade my registration from the half marathon to the full marathon (I had registered for the half marathon in January… this year was going to be a light year… that has changed! Haha!)
Team23
Jamen is the team captain for Team23 and has been running to support The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s since his first marathon in 2020.
My charity partner for the 2023 Detroit Free Press Marathon is The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s. I have run for #Team23 since my first marathon in 2020. I am incredibly proud to be able to run and raise money for a cause that is so near to me. I have made so many close relationships through the year with the folks at KGF. They will be heavily featured in the Run4Ben documentary and they have been a huge support to me and my family.
Ben and Jamen on an eight mile training run at Kensington Metropark in Milford, MI.
This year I will also be repping The Phoenix and Drive Toward A Cure as I run. Both of these foundations will be represented on our custom Hoyt chair.
I have been volunteering with The Phoenix for over three years now and they have been a huge part of my sobriety and fitness life. I currently head up the Detroit Sober Run Crew runs for The Phoenix as well as host and help facilitate the National Sober Run Crew Meet-Ups on Zoom. I have attended many classes and have even taught improv with The Phoenix. The only requirement to attend any Phoenix event is 48hrs of sobriety!
The Phoenix’s mission is to build a sober active community that fuels resilience and harnesses the transformational power of connection so that together we rise, recover, and live.
Drive Toward A Cure
Drive Toward a Cure for Parkinson’s Disease
We have a new sponsor, Drive Toward a Cure. Drive Toward a Cure is a non-profit started by our friend, Deb Pollack. We are extremely excited to be partnered with DTAC. We have been friends for a while since being introduced by members of The Kirk Gibson Foundation years ago.
Drive Toward a Cure pursues an alternative to the numerous ‘for profit’ rally driving programs through the creation of events that team cars and camaraderie to raise funds and awareness to support the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, benefiting research and patient care.
I am currently raising funds for their 75 Days of Summer fundraiser. Please follow the link to donate and join in on the fun. When entered you can win some fantastic prizes!
I am registered for the 2023 Marquette Half Marathon in Marquette, MI. on Sunday, September 2nd. I will be accepting donations for Drive Toward A Cure’s 75 Days of Summer through September 4th. Please consider donating as I run. All funds go to helping those with Parkinson’s.
On September 23rd team Run4Ben will be heading to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation Hero Walk at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, MI.
Michigan Parkinson Foundation is an incredible help to many people with Parkinson’s and their families. We have a team that will be showing up to show our support as we walk and you can join our team HERE.
We’re hoping that our custom Hoyt Running Chair will be completed and available to use by this date!
The Michigan Parkinson Foundation (MPF) is dedicated to people living with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The Parkinson's Walks are a team/pledge walking event that allows MPF to continue our services and programs free of charge. The walks features a one or three mile walk route, Parkinson exercise demonstrations, and entertainment for the whole family while raising critical funds needed for those affected by Parkinson's here in Michigan.
This year is the fourth marathon