Thanks for visiting the Run For Rik & Mom fundraising page. I’m hoping you can be inspired to help support the charity to which I am raising funds.
Many of you know my story. In 2005 I became quite ill with PCP pneumonia, which nearly claimed my life. Thankfully, I had a fantastic team of nurses and doctors who treated me and basically saved my life. Ever since, I’ve looked at life more positively and don’t take things that happen for granted.
In 2007, my twin brother Rik became ill with ITP – a blood platelet disorder. Unfortunately Rik passed away in Sep 2007, but he has left some great memories for me. I decided to run a marathon in San Diego last year to honour his memory in the city he lived. It was an amazing experience and I raised over $11K for the charity Rik had volunteered. A few weeks before that marathon last June, my biological mom, Ethel, passed away from heart problems. She was an amazing lady who left a legacy based on her love for her children and her personal faith. I had decided to dedicate the marathon in San Diego to both Rik and mom’s memories.
Now, I'm excited about running the Maui Marathon on Sep 20th, not only because I know it will be a great trip to a beautiful island, but I hope to accomplish my goals of raising funds for a special charity close to me as well as run to the best of my abilities (I am hoping to come close to 3hr target). I travelled to Hawaii once when I was 10 years old with my family, and now 32 years later I'm travelling there again with a handful of friends for cheering support. I'm looking forward to this so much! Those that know about this - I'll not be bringing cowboy boots and tube-socks.
Through facebook, I'm back in touch with a previous training partner of mine, Darlene Larson. We had met in Seattle in 1996, and we became really good friends and training partners. We motivated and complimented each other perfectly with training and helped each other to be at our marathon fitness best. We pushed each other through many half-marathon races together, and had some of our best races because of this. When I lived in Seattle, I ran 5 marathons including the 100 Anniversary of the Boston Marathon and the Napa Valley Marathon which I ran my best time of 2:48. Darlene now lives Honolulu and I live in Brighton UK, so our training together is done via internet - but it still works as a great motivator. We have both decided to run the Maui Marathon this year! However, she has an edge on me as I really have to think of an ingenious way to train for heat and humidity from here in the coolness of Great Britain. Wool hat, goretex jacket and running tights while on a treadmill at the gym does get some weird looks...
This will be my final “dedicated” marathon – as I’ve realised it’s good to move on in life and just let memories do their thing for each of us personally. I have been honoured to dedicate this marathon to Rik and mom.
I am raising funds for The Sussex Beacon, an organization in Brighton UK, which provides residential care for those severely affected with HIV/AIDS, and a clinical day care for men and women living and dealing with HIV/AIDS. Although there have been great strides made with research and medical therapy, there are still people who have a difficult struggle with living and dealing with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis. I know The Sussex Beacon has been a life-line for some who have/had been in need of their critical care. They have a beautiful facility in Brighton and a great team of staff and volunteers who are caring and passionate about their mission.
Many thanks,
Ralph Jennings
If you are interested in reading an extended version of my story, please check out my first "Run For Rik & Mom" fundraising web-page at www.firstgiving.com/rikjennings.
If you have questions regarding donating to this site, please send me an email at phieee@hotmail.com. Those of you in the USA, note that the current exchange rate is approx. £1.00 GBP to $1.67 USD.
