While several St. Thomas students are preparing for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, one group in particular is hoping to accomplish a greater feat than completing the 26.2 mile race.
The group of friends is raising money for World Vision, a Christian nonprofit organization that provides clean water to people in Africa. The World Vision website states that it is the largest non governmental provider of clean water in the developing world—providing one new person with clean drinking water every 30 seconds.
The St. Thomas group joined Team World Vision, a branch of World Vision that is raising money by receiving donations for running in the Twin Cities Marathon, after one of its members, junior Zach Lang, talked about the organization at a Campus Outreach meeting last spring.
Junior Connor Theisen said he joined because he was intrigued and felt passionate about Team World Vision’s mission. Theisen said the St. Thomas group raises money by posting information online and linking to a personal page each group member has created on the Team World Vision’s website.
“On (our personal pages), we share our story of why we’re running, what Team World Vision does and the impact that a small donation can make, especially when $50 provides clean water for life for one person,” Theisen said.
More than 400 people are joining Team World Vision for the 2015 Twin Cities Marathon. So far, Team World Vision has raised $369,268.02 of its $500,000 goal.
The nonprofit organizes group running events on Saturday mornings at various locations. The St. Thomas group joined in for the 20 mile group run, which started at Minnehaha Falls.
Training for the marathon has been a transformative experience for the St. Thomas group. Most have been training for six months and are taking part in Team World Vision’s 18-week training plan. Junior Dan Foley said his perception of the marathon changed when he began training six days a week.
“Running a marathon isn’t easy, and it’s not supposed to be,” Foley said. “It needs adequate training, not just physically, but mentally as well. Like they say, the first half is your legs, the last half is your head.”
The marathon has spurred a lifestyle change for Theisen, who said he started with a weight loss goal in mind.
“Overall, through diet and exercise, I lost 20 pounds over the summer,” Theisen said. “Ever since I started training, I’ve bought a lot less junk food, drank mostly water, and eaten more fruits and vegetables. It doesn’t even feel like a diet or training obligation anymore, but more of a lifestyle choice.”
The marathon will take place the morning of Sunday, Oct. 4. Participants will start at the U.S. Bank Stadium site and finish at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Senior Louis Missurelli said he will remember the marathon fondly in years to come.
“I am hoping it will all be worth it once I cross the finish line,” Missurelli said. “Any avid runner can tell you a story about their favorite race, their toughest practice or that one time they got lost while running. I am hoping this will be one of those stories.”
Claire Noack can be reached at noac8702@stthomas.edu.