"Running America" takes an unscheduled detour
Charlie Engle, the ultra-athlete attempting to break a world record for running across America while partnering with United Way to promote youth fitness, has made it to McCook, Nebraska – more than 1,500 miles from San Francisco, where he started his journey on September 13. But his body has not been able to handle the strain—and pain—of trying to run 70 miles per day.
Last week, after an MRI, Charlie was told he could no longer run with his running partner, Marshall Ulrich. This news was devastating to Charlie, but he has adapted, and decided to get on a bike and continue the quest. He’s committed to raising awareness of childhood obesity, increasing youth fitness, and promoting United Way’s work to advance the common good. Follow Charlie’s saga—see photos and video—send him an encouraging message—or sign up to run with him—at www.runningamerica08.com.
To those of you whose communities were early on the route, thanks for cheering Charlie on. To those in the eastern half of the country: Join in! Gather a group to run or bike with Charlie along his route. You can track his progress and see where he's headed next at www.runningamerica08.com.
Last week, after an MRI, Charlie was told he could no longer run with his running partner, Marshall Ulrich. This news was devastating to Charlie, but he has adapted, and decided to get on a bike and continue the quest. He’s committed to raising awareness of childhood obesity, increasing youth fitness, and promoting United Way’s work to advance the common good. Follow Charlie’s saga—see photos and video—send him an encouraging message—or sign up to run with him—at www.runningamerica08.com.
To those of you whose communities were early on the route, thanks for cheering Charlie on. To those in the eastern half of the country: Join in! Gather a group to run or bike with Charlie along his route. You can track his progress and see where he's headed next at www.runningamerica08.com.
United Way and NFL Focus on Youth Fitness
Yesterday was the tenth annual NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle—a series of volunteer projects implemented on the same day in all 32 NFL cities nationwide. This year, the NFL and United Way teamed up to help kids get more physically active. I attended the Detroit event, where 16 players for the Lions helped kids from the Boys and Girls Club in Highland Park participate in a series of physical activities.
As part of the day’s focus on community and youth fitness, Detroit launched a HOPSports youth fitness zones (five other NFL cities launched fitness zones in their communities). This interactive media center and sports equipment offers fitness training while entertaining, evaluating and educating young people about nutrition and health. This fitness zone will remain active throughout the year, helping the kids to implement the lessons they learned at Hometown Huddle.
It was great to see the kids faces as they ran through the activities with their heroes. I know the kids were thrilled by the great turnout from the Lions players and enjoyed having a chance to meet them in person.
To learn more about the United Way and NFL partnership, go to liveunited.org/nfl.
As part of the day’s focus on community and youth fitness, Detroit launched a HOPSports youth fitness zones (five other NFL cities launched fitness zones in their communities). This interactive media center and sports equipment offers fitness training while entertaining, evaluating and educating young people about nutrition and health. This fitness zone will remain active throughout the year, helping the kids to implement the lessons they learned at Hometown Huddle.
It was great to see the kids faces as they ran through the activities with their heroes. I know the kids were thrilled by the great turnout from the Lions players and enjoyed having a chance to meet them in person.
To learn more about the United Way and NFL partnership, go to liveunited.org/nfl.
