| Running has been a popular sport for as long as | | | | -5K Run/Walk |
| anyone can remember. Some people like to run | | | | -In 1989, a fundraising effort by physical therapy |
| to relieve stress, some do it to stay in shape and | | | | students at Marquette University was started to |
| for other health benefits, and some do it in order | | | | support physical therapy research through the |
| to help other people. In Rochester, MN, there are | | | | American Physical Therapy Association's |
| a number of races offered throughout the year in | | | | Foundation for Physical Therapy. This has become |
| order to raise funds for various non-profit | | | | known as the Marquette Challenge. Students in |
| organizations. In no particular order, a few of | | | | Physical Therapy at the Mayo School of Health |
| these types of races are listed below. | | | | Sciences will join the Challenge again to raise |
| MacAttack | | | | money for PT research through a 5K run/walk. All |
| -5K, 3K Run/Walk | | | | proceeds are donated to the Foundation for |
| -This event provides activity for both individuals | | | | Physical Therapy. In other years, students have |
| and families with the 5K run and a shorter 3K | | | | raised over $200,000 annually. |
| walk/run. The proceeds go towards the Ronald | | | | MMCF 5K Run/Walk |
| McDonald House of Rochester and towards | | | | -5K Run/Walk |
| Brighter Tomorrows, which is an outreach group | | | | -Founded in August 2004, MMCF (Multiple Myeloma |
| to families who have been touched by childhood | | | | Charitable Foundation) is a public charity dedicated |
| cancer. Incentive prizes are given to the top | | | | to helping blood cancer patients. This event will |
| fundraisers. 2009 will mark the 19th year this | | | | help support the mission of this group, which |
| event has taken place. | | | | includes raising funds for research of multiple |
| Lace Up For Leaders | | | | myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood |
| -5K | | | | cancers, raising awareness of these cancers, and |
| -Formally known as the Minnesota MILE 5K run, | | | | providing assistance to other non-profit groups |
| this event is a fund raising event for Minnesota | | | | that support cancer patients as well. |
| MILE (Motivating and Inspiring Leadership & | | | | Rochester Regional Equestrian Center Run |
| Excellence). MILE was formed to identify and | | | | -5 mile Trail Run/Walk |
| encourage outstanding high school sophomores. | | | | -New in 2009, this race is provided to benefit the |
| Students who are responsible citizens in their | | | | Rochester Regional Equestrian Center. The RREC |
| community and school are encouraged and given | | | | is a non-profit organization designed to enrich the |
| the opportunity to recognize their leadership | | | | community through equine science, education, and |
| potential. Sophomore year is a critical time in a | | | | recreation. In order to do this, the group also |
| teenager's life, and results have shown that a | | | | wishes to develop a state of the art equestrian |
| MILE experience can affect the rest of their high | | | | campus. |
| school experience. | | | | HyVee Rochesterfest Triathlon |
| Gift of Life Transplant House Run/Walk | | | | -Olypmic (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run) and |
| -Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, 1K | | | | Sprint (1/4mi swim, 10mi bike, 5K run) courses |
| -This is a fundraising event for the Gift of Life | | | | -One of the few triathlons offered in Rochester, |
| Transplant House. The house provides high-quality | | | | this event is for those looking to try a triathlon as |
| yet affordable housing for Mayo Clinic patients | | | | well as for experienced athletes. For 2009, |
| undergoing a solid organ transplant. The funds | | | | proceeds from the event will be used to support |
| from this event will go towards an expansion | | | | the Channel One Food Bank & Food Shelf. |
| project to accommodate more patients. | | | | Lace Up Against Breast Cancer |
| Med-City Marathon | | | | -Half marathon, 5K Run/Walk |
| -Marathon, Half Marathon, Kids' Marathon, | | | | -This event is help in order to raise awareness |
| -All proceeds from this event go towards the | | | | and funds for breast cancer research. All |
| Rochester Area Family Y's Strong Kids Campaign. | | | | proceeds are donated to the Mayo Clinic for |
| The Y is devoted to building strong kids, families, | | | | research purposes. |
| and communities. This event offers opportunities | | | | Resolution Run |
| for whole families to participate in together. | | | | -5K |
| Harvest Classic | | | | -This is another event to help support the |
| -5K, 1mile Kids' Run | | | | Rochester Family Y Strong Kids Campaign. The |
| -The Harvest Classic is an event run by the Mayo | | | | event is held on January 1st, allowing people to |
| Medical School students and the associated AMA | | | | celebrate the dawn of a new year with fellow |
| student chapter. Dedicated to helping those that | | | | runners and walkers, and by getting an early jump |
| are hungry in our community, all proceeds from | | | | on New Year's resolutions of getting in shape. |
| the race are donated to the Channel One Food | | | | This list does not include all of the races in |
| Bank and Food Shelf, which helps to serve | | | | Rochester, but provides a glimpse of some of the |
| communities throughout southeastern MN and | | | | events and groups that have been dedicated to |
| western WI. | | | | helping non-profit organizations. Giving money is |
| Frozen Goose Run | | | | good, but backing up a donation with the effort |
| -10K, 5K Run/Walk | | | | required to run 5K, 10K, or even a full marathon, |
| -An event during Winterfest, this race is | | | | that is great. These types of events can give a |
| sponsored by the Optimist Club, a group | | | | sense of accomplishment unlike anything else, and |
| dedicated to serving youth of the community. | | | | participation in at least one of them is strongly |
| The funds from this event are used locally for | | | | encouraged. |
| childhood cancer research at the Mayo Clinic. The | | | | There are a number of other fun runs, |
| Optimists are sponsors of the Childhood Cancer | | | | competitive events, and kids' events offered |
| Campaign, an international campaign to deal with | | | | throughout the year in both Rochester and the |
| cancer on a variety of service levels. They assist | | | | surrounding area. So if one is looking for a |
| in providing support to children with cancer, to | | | | competitive race, a chance to help out a |
| cancer patients' families and care partners, to | | | | non-profit organization, or to just get some |
| healthcare providers, and for childhood cancer | | | | exercise, there are many options from which to |
| research. | | | | choose. |
| Race for Research | | | | |