Hey fellow T-Nationers,
i am posting this here for my assistant wrestling coach. He is doing a fundraiser in conjunction with the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
“My name is Ben Smitherman. In January of 2007, I was inspired by an amazing article in Runners World about Terry Fox. Terry was diagnosed with bone cancer and subsequently had his right leg amputated above the knee. Motivated by his disease, Terry attempted to run across Canada in order to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Unfortunately, his run would be cut short as his cancer spread and he eventually died, but not before running 3339 miles in 143 days. This amounts to almost a full marathon a day on a prosthetic leg and an old pair of Adidas Orions. Even more impressive was the 25 million dollars he raised for cancer research. I plan to duplicate his feat (although with both legs). Starting in June 2008, I will run the same 3339 miles in 143 days, but I will do it all live on webcam for the world to see. Donations may be made to the Lance Armstrong Foundation in my name on my website Run3339.com. Also, there will be several other opportunities to support cancer research along the way. While this will undoubtedly be a tremendously difficult undertaking, I am excited for the challenge. If I am able to raise just one dollar for cancer research and awareness for a problem that effects everyone, it will be worth it.”
Ben was not granted a leave of absence from work to do this. He is placing tread mill in his living room and after working as a teacher during the day he will return home and jump on the tread mill for the world to watch. He has a web site called run3339 and a Myspace page. Please visit and join those pages. i assured him that “The Nation” would at least spread the word.
Thanks.