Around 20 Team UNICEF runners came out to run for children this week, despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York and the cancellation of the 2012 ING New York City Marathon. The marathoners joined hundreds of other runners for a 6-mile loop around the park and were cheered on by friends and family members. Over the last nine months, the 60 Team UNICEF runners have raised over $227,000 for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
Every year, my family and I stand on the sidelines of the NYC Marathon and cheer on the runners from all over the world who have taken on this enormous challenge. This year, we’ll be cheering for two U.S. Fund for UNICEF staff members who are running in the marathon for Team UNICEF. Jennifer Lee and Taylor Conger are both training right now to finish the 26.2-mile marathon and raise money to help children all around the world. These two dedicated athletes have already reached their initial fundraising goal of $3,500 each, and have now upped their goal to a combined total of $10,000—all of it for UNICEF.
On November 6, 64 members of Team UNICEF took to the streets of New York to run in the 2011 ING New York City Marathon. In total, the runners raised over $240,000 to support UNICEF’s general fund programs worldwide. The photos below are of the team taken on the morning of the race and the cheering station in Brooklyn, NY.
As I was standing with my team wearing blue shirts, holding UNICEF signs, cowbells and pom poms, scanning the sea of runners wearing our cyan blue running jerseys, I was awed by the dedication of not only those who were running with Team UNICEF, but the nearly 45,000 other people who also chose to run, either for a charity, or for themselves. I thought about all that goes into becoming a marathoner. Training takes time, commitment, dedication, perseverance, and prioritization.
56 runners have set a goal to finish the 2010 ING New York City Marathon and raise $225,000 for UNICEF’s lifesaving programs. Join us along the route to support Team UNICEF on Sunday, November 7. We will have UNICEF signs, pom-poms and t-shirts for you to show your UNICEF pride.
A runner’s slot has opened on Team UNICEF. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the 2010 ING New York City Marathon on Team UNICEF, please email volunteer@unicefusa.org requesting a Team UNICEF Application.
Thirty years ago, only one out of five children were immunized against killer diseases like measles and polio. Throughout the developing world, millions of children were dying of illnesses that had all but disappeared in the world’s wealthier countries. Since then, a near miracle has taken place. Now, four out of five children are protected by vaccines. Polio is on the verge of elimination. Measles and tetanus deaths have been reduced dramatically. This miracle did not happen by itself.
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