Donations can be made online at the official fundraiser web page, or you can make an “on site” donation whilst the event is taking place. Again, the fundraiser starts on July 14th at 7am and finishes 24 hours later at 7am on July 15th.

Just like last year, there is a raffle featuring many great prizes. Tickets may be purchased for $2, 3 for $5, or 8 for $10 with the last raffle being a 50/50 raffle. Last years winner took home nearly $600 in cash!! Checks can be made out to Western Branch Track Club; and if you’re looking to get in your run for the day, Ryan has suggested you come out to join him and the team for a few miles.

If you have any questions about the fundraiser, feel free to contact Ryan via phone at 757-282-1440 or either of the following email addresses: WB24HRRUN@gmail.com or rcarroll82@gmail.com. Also, a big “Thank You” goes out to WBHS for allowing the use of their facilities and KaleRunning for providing event oversight and timing.

Just like I said last year, Ryan is probably the top area runner and regularly wins all the local races he shows up at. Somehow he juggles an impossible schedule yet remains one of the nicest, most genuine guys you could meet. Nothing appears to be too much trouble, and he’s always handing out great advice and cheering folks on at the races. Furthermore, his athletes are a total credit to the local running community and regularly show up bright and early to volunteer at many of the local races. Not only are they good kids, but they’re talented athletes too – you should see what they’ve achieved in recent years!

I’ll soon be heading over to ActiveGiving.com to make my donation. It’s definitely a worthy cause and I’ll be more than happy to support Ryan and his great bunch of kids. Good luck to you all!

Just found out that Western Branch High School sold over 300 raffle tickets at the Ed Lowery 5k Bash yesterday (see comment here). Apparently, some, if not all, the credit goes to my blog for posting about the Western Branch 24 Hour Fundraiser Run. Just goes to show what a great bunch of people there are in the local running community!

If you weren’t at the race yesterday, (a) you missed out on a great cross country event and (b) there’s still time to buy raffle tickets for what is panning out to be one of the great giveaways of the year. Tickets are just $1.00 each with current prizes as follows: airline tickets, a flat screen TV, Nintendo DS, digital picture frames, iPods, free race entries, gift certificates to numerous retailers, and much, much more. There’s also a 50/50 raffle which is increasing in value all the time.

Just stop by Western Branch High School during the event next Tuesday/Wednesday to make your purchase or feel free to contact Coach Ryan Carroll for more details – rcarroll82@gmail.com or 757-282-1440.

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There’s also still plenty of time to make a donation to the Western Branch Cross Country/Track Team for their upcoming 2009-2010 season. Just click here to visit the ActiveGiving web site.

Good luck to everyone on Tuesday/Wednesday!

Recently announced, the Western Branch Track Club will be conducting the 24 Hour Relay on June 23rd at the Western Branch High School track starting at 7am Tuesday and ending 7am Wednesday. Funds are desperately needed due to the drastic Athletic budget cuts due to the current economic climate.

For more information about the fund raiser, please contact Ryan Carroll at 757-282-1440 or via email. You can also make a donation (large or small) at the designated fund raising page at ActiveGiving.com. Donations can be made with a credit card or via PayPal.

In conjunction with the 24 hour track run, a merchandise/gift certificates raffle is also taking place. Tickets are $1 a piece and the great thing is you don’t have to be present to win. Current prizes include, but are not limited to, airline tickets, a flat screen TV, Nintendo DS, digital picture frames, iPods, free race entries, gift certificates to numerous retailers, and a 50/50 raffle which is increasing in value all the time. Seems like a great opportunity to win a tremendous prize.

Tickets for the raffle will be on sale at this weekend’s Ed Lowery 5k Bash at Bells Mill Park (which so happens to be my next race), or you can stop by Western Branch High School during the event next Tuesday/Wednesday to make your purchase. Another option I just heard about is to send Ryan an email and ask that part of your donation be applied to raffle tickets. Ryan will add your name and contact information to the ticket and ensure it is entered in the raffle. Feel free to contact Ryan for further information:

Email: rcarroll82@gmail.com or
Phone: 757-282-1440

For what it’s worth, Ryan is probably the top area runner and regularly wins all the local races he shows up at. Somehow he juggles an impossible schedule yet remains one of the nicest, most genuine guys you could meet. Nothing appears to be too much trouble, and he’s always dishing out great advice and cheering folks on at the races. Furthermore, his athletes are a total credit to the local running community and regularly show up bright and early to volunteer at many of the local races. Not only are they good kids, but they’re talented athletes too – you should see what they’ve achieved in recent years!

I’ll soon be heading over to ActiveGiving.com to make my donation. It’s definitely a worthy cause and I’ll be more than happy to support Ryan and his great bunch of kids. Good luck to you all and make sure you don’t get too dizzy out on the track……

Update: Just made my donation. Didn’t see an option for PayPal, so please disregard my original information. Visa, Mastercard and AMEX cards are definitely accepted though. Maybe Ryan will chime in with an official response soon?

Update #2: Just realized why the Western Branch XC and Track teams are so successful. The athletes spend a ton of time following the 100 Push-Ups program! http://bit.ly/5vHad Thanks for your support Ryan and the team!

Paul is planning to handbike over 2008 miles this year to raise money to support projects undertaken by Hope for the Warriors™. His plan is to do this in a combination of training, running events, and fundraising rides, culminating with October’s 2008 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.

Paul has already completed the Myrtle Beach Marathon, East Beach Norfolk Half Marathon (pictured at the start line, above left) and most recently the inaugural Crystal Coast Half Marathon. His name appears in both the 8k and marathon entry lists for the Shamrock Weekend in Virginia Beach, VA this weekend, and if the weather is anything but perfect during the marathon, please read Paul’s Crystal Coast Half Marathon race report before you even think of complaining. What an inspirational story and very refreshing to get a different perspective on a long distance road race.

I remember passing and cheering Paul on in the early miles at the East Beach Norfolk Half Marathon. He was focused, determined, but having so much fun, and immediately returned the compliment and wished me luck. Later in the race, as I headed for home, Paul once again cheered and gave me a much needed boost. Thanks Paul! If I see you at Shamrock (I’m sure I will), I’ll cheer for you as I run by – unless of course there’s a huge tailwind and you can cheer as you handcrank past me!

Please consider donating to Paul’s fundraising campaign to support wounded warriors – the 2008 Miles of Hope. All the money raised will go to Hope for The Warriors, which provides Warrior Wishes, Direct Needs Grants, and Spouses’ Scholarships.

Finally, if you’re running, volunteering or spectating this weekend, look out for Paul and give him all the encouragement you can. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it and no doubt the support will spur him on to the finish line.

Roll on!!