Dear Runner or Aspiring Runner:
If you are reading this, then that means you are wanting to make a positive impact on other people while taking part in your beloved sport. You are in love with running and it’s your mission to inspire your friends, family and coworkers.
Most people will probably stop reading this letter right about now, but you are different…
You know you want to make a difference in other people’s lives.
You know that running brings you the kind of joy that no amount of money can buy. Let’s face it, running is amazing. It’s healthy. It’s liberating. It allows you to meet great people and make friends.
A lot of times, you read stories about elite runners and celebrities attempting to make the world a better place. They build schools for underprivileged girls in Africa, they donate thousands of dollars to natural disaster relief or they build homes for the homeless.
When you read strories like that, you think to yourself: “I want to help too, but there is no way that I can make that much of a difference. I can’t compete with Ryan and Sara Hall’s ‘The Hall Steps Foundation’ that provides opportunities for disadvantaged children. I can’t match Taylor Swift’s $100,000 donation to Red Cross.”
The truth is, you don’t have to donate $100,000 to charity or run a sub-2:30 marathon in order to make a positive impact on other people. Your ability to inspire people starts with your desire to do so.
Elite athletes and celebrities get all the glory and now it’s your turn to make an impact. You are looking for an opportunity to enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
Maybe you are a running coach or fitness trainer or maybe you lead your local run group. Perhaps, you are a wellness coordinator at your work or a manager in your corporate organization. Maybe, you have never ran before but are wanting to start and are looking for a non-intimidating opportunity to experience running.
Whatever your case may be, you have found your way here. You have always dreamed of making an impact and now is your opportunity to do so.
How you can make a difference
You don’t need to donate $100,000. In fact, you don’t even need to donate $100. Not even $50.
Regardless of where you are, for about the price of a fancy beer and burger, you can sign up for Run4Dreams 2018: Virtual 5k for Help Fill a Dream Foundation.
Since you decided to read this article, when you sign up for Run4Dreams, you can use the promo code YBFAT110517 to get 15% OFF your registration price (limited number available). You will also be entered to win draw prizes. Cash prizes are also available. The Run4Dreams website will be live soon and until then you can see all the details on the registration page.
Run4Dreams is a Virtual 5k Race, where the net proceeds from registration will be donated to Help Fill a Dream Foundation. Help Fill A Dream provides hope, help and happiness for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands’ children under the age of 19 with life-threatening conditions. Help Fill a Dream Foundation fulfils their dreams as well as assists their families with much-needed financial support.
At Run4Dreams, everyone who participates receives the respect they deserve. We value every participant because we all make a difference together. Even if it takes you over 1 hour to complete a 5k, you are still an elite athlete in our books.
Above: The first Run4Dreams raised $400 for Help Fill a Dream Foundation.
You may think, “What can one person possibly do? Will I really make a difference?” The truth is, if everyone stopped feeling like this and started to believe that you can make a difference, then we would soon see many positive changes in the world.
Change starts with you. One person.
Even if you decided not to sign up, you can still share this letter and the promo code with everyone who you believe wants to make a difference.
We can’t all be elites running a 5k in under 15 minutes, but we can take steps towards making the world a better place.
Let’s do this.
Sincerely,
Yana (AKA Aspiring Dream-Maker, AKA Cubicle Dweller who Loves to Run)