Four endurance sports charities to consider

Team Red, White and Blue wants to transform the way America supports its wounded veterans when they return from active duty. Their intention is to create a community of veterans, their families, and American citizens who can enjoy authentic social interaction and shared experiences through activities and events all across America.Their mission is Reintegration through physical fitness.Physical: rebuild the body, give structure to life and bolster self-esteem
Psychological: help to process experiences from Iraq/Afghanistan
Social: connect with people to run, bike, workout, and be activeThey also wish to create personal connectivity between Veterans and citizens in thecommunity where they now live.Community-building events that bring Veterans together with citizens
Formation of friendships and natural individual relationshipsThey strive for the galvanization of esprit de corps and team membership.Bringing back the feeling from the military of pride and being part of a unitBy creating authentic relationships, developing physical, psychological, and social health, and bringing back the military sense of pride and being part of a team, Team RWB enriches the lives of our veterans. Team Red, White and Blue is rooted in the belief that the best way to support wounded veterans is by spending time with them, listening to them, and supporting them in personal and meaningful ways. Wounded Warrior Project Physical Health & Wellness program provides recreation, adaptive sports programs, and overall strategies to help wounded veterans remain physically engaged while adjusting to life after injury. Warriors' physical and psychological well-being are optimized through comprehensive recreation and sports programs, physical health promotion strategies, legislative policy change, and physical rehabilitation designed to help maximize independence. Specific programs include:Through WWP partnership with high quality, specialized disabled sports providers, they are able to deliver dynamic and engaging year-round sports and fitness programs to help injured service members gain confidence and independence, while adapting to life after injury. With adaptive equipment and trained instructors, warriors can participate in almost any sport or fitness activity, moving them beyond rehabilitation and toward a full and productive life. These programs are designed to encompass all areas of fitness and exercise including nutrition and physical training to build a healthy and fit lifestyle.Through these partnerships, they provide warriors, immediate family, and primary caregivers with year-round seasonal fitness, sporting, and exercise activities. Winter and summer outdoor recreation activities such as water skiing, snowboarding, skiing, bicycling, golf, therapeutic horseback riding, healthy cooking classes, and rock climbing are just a few they have to choose from.WWP also provides warriors who have lost multiple limbs with secondary rehabilitation for prosthetic care to maximize mobility and help regain independence through their partnership with Hangar Prosthetics and Orthotics.WWP also offers the Soldier Ride. Soldier Ride is a unique four-day cycling opportunity for Wounded Warriors to use cycling and the bonds of service to overcome physical, mental, or emotional wounds. The rides are exhilarating and a great way to help warriors gain confidence.Train 4 Autism is a foundation dedicated to bringing together a community of athletes, physically active, and socially conscious people who are committed to raising awareness and funds for research and treatment for those living with Autism and their families. Fundraising and volunteer opportunities for individual athletes, teams and entire families include marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, walks, triathlons, swimming, and cycling events.Today, there are many treatment centers and research programs all doing vital work, and all carrying different yet important messages and missions. Train 4 Autism provides the infrastructure, technology, and support for participants to raise funds and contribute to the programs about which they are most passionate.Train 4 Autism is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded by parents and families of children touched by Autism and Train 4 Autism is 100% volunteer.It is a unique fundraising program in that they allow you to choose the sport, choose the event and choose where funds go.Each participant directs the bulk of his/her funds to the autism organization of his/her choice. You can select any non-profit autism-related organization, nationally or locally.View the list »
Spotlight on endurance sports charity Train 4 Autism

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Triathletes, swimmers, cyclists and runners compete in all sorts of endurance events and push their bodies to the limits for multiple reasons. Some compete for weight loss in the fight to lose weight and stay fit and combat obesity. Some compete for the personal challenge to complete particular endurance event or race distance. Others compete to better their competitors and improve their performance year after year.

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Another motivation for participants to enter a running race or ironman distance triathlon is to raise money for a cause. There are a lot to choose from, so options are not an issue. Multiple charities have harnessed the energy of motivated athletes and created endurance sport specific programs that athletes can officially be a part of. These organizations have created groups, support groups, training groups and advanced online tools to supports these athletes and get them to the finish line while raising funds for non-profits, charity organizations and illness research. Think about Livestrong, but on a broader scale and at times, more focused on a specific illness or disorder.

This list will look at 4 charities and outline some basics and how to get more information.

  • Train 4 Autism is a foundation dedicated to bringing together a community of athletes, physically active, and socially conscious people who are committed to raising awareness and funds for research and treatment for those living with Autism and their families. Fundraising and volunteer opportunities for individual athletes, teams and entire families include marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, walks, triathlons, swimming, and cycling events.
  • Wounded Warrior Project Physical Health & Wellness program provides recreation, adaptive sports programs, and overall strategies to help wounded veterans remain physically engaged while adjusting to life after injury. Warriors' physical and psychological well-being are optimized through comprehensive recreation and sports programs, physical health promotion strategies, legislative policy change, and physical rehabilitation designed to help maximize independence.
  • Team Red, White and Blue wants to transform the way America supports its wounded veterans when they return from active duty. Their intention is to create a community of veterans, their families, and American citizens who can enjoy authentic social interaction and shared experiences through activities and events all across America.
  • Joints in Motion is the Arthritis Foundation's athletic training program. Fundraisers can become a Joints in Motion member and raise funds and awareness on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation to fight arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability. Their experienced coaches will train you to run or walk a marathon or half marathon, while also getting the opportunity to travel to an exciting destination.

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  • Train 4 Autism is a foundation dedicated to bringing together a community of athletes, physically active, and socially conscious people who are committed to raising awareness and funds for research and treatment for those living with Autism and their families. Fundraising and volunteer opportunities for individual athletes, teams and entire families include marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, walks, triathlons, swimming, and cycling events.Today, there are many treatment centers and research programs all doing vital work, and all carrying different yet important messages and missions. Train 4 Autism provides the infrastructure, technology, and support for participants to raise funds and contribute to the programs about which they are most passionate.Train 4 Autism is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded by parents and families of children touched by Autism and Train 4 Autism is 100% volunteer.It is a unique fundraising program in that they allow you to choose the sport, choose the event and choose where funds go.Each participant directs the bulk of his/her funds to the autism organization of his/her choice. You can select any non-profit autism-related organization, nationally or locally.
  • Wounded Warrior Project Physical Health & Wellness program provides recreation, adaptive sports programs, and overall strategies to help wounded veterans remain physically engaged while adjusting to life after injury. Warriors' physical and psychological well-being are optimized through comprehensive recreation and sports programs, physical health promotion strategies, legislative policy change, and physical rehabilitation designed to help maximize independence. Specific programs include:Through WWP partnership with high quality, specialized disabled sports providers, they are able to deliver dynamic and engaging year-round sports and fitness programs to help injured service members gain confidence and independence, while adapting to life after injury. With adaptive equipment and trained instructors, warriors can participate in almost any sport or fitness activity, moving them beyond rehabilitation and toward a full and productive life. These programs are designed to encompass all areas of fitness and exercise including nutrition and physical training to build a healthy and fit lifestyle.Through these partnerships, they provide warriors, immediate family, and primary caregivers with year-round seasonal fitness, sporting, and exercise activities. Winter and summer outdoor recreation activities such as water skiing, snowboarding, skiing, bicycling, golf, therapeutic horseback riding, healthy cooking classes, and rock climbing are just a few they have to choose from.WWP also provides warriors who have lost multiple limbs with secondary rehabilitation for prosthetic care to maximize mobility and help regain independence through their partnership with Hangar Prosthetics and Orthotics.WWP also offers the Soldier Ride. Soldier Ride is a unique four-day cycling opportunity for Wounded Warriors to use cycling and the bonds of service to overcome physical, mental, or emotional wounds. The rides are exhilarating and a great way to help warriors gain confidence.
  • Team Red, White and Blue wants to transform the way America supports its wounded veterans when they return from active duty. Their intention is to create a community of veterans, their families, and American citizens who can enjoy authentic social interaction and shared experiences through activities and events all across America.Their mission is Reintegration through physical fitness.Physical: rebuild the body, give structure to life and bolster self-esteem
Psychological: help to process experiences from Iraq/Afghanistan
Social: connect with people to run, bike, workout, and be activeThey also wish to create personal connectivity between Veterans and citizens in thecommunity where they now live.Community-building events that bring Veterans together with citizens
Formation of friendships and natural individual relationshipsThey strive for the galvanization of esprit de corps and team membership.Bringing back the feeling from the military of pride and being part of a unitBy creating authentic relationships, developing physical, psychological, and social health, and bringing back the military sense of pride and being part of a team, Team RWB enriches the lives of our veterans. Team Red, White and Blue is rooted in the belief that the best way to support wounded veterans is by spending time with them, listening to them, and supporting them in personal and meaningful ways. 
  • Joints in Motion is the Arthritis Foundation's athletic training program. Fundraisers can become a Joints in Motion member and raise funds and awareness on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation to fight arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability. Their experienced coaches will train you to run or walk a marathon or half marathon, while also getting the opportunity to travel to an exciting destination.Each athlete raises funds to support the Arthritis Foundation's mission to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis. Once you join a team, you will receive a fundraising kit that will help you meet your goals.Once you reach your fundraising goal, they will send you to one of our locations of your choice. You will receive airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, race entry fee and more. Once you arrive at the destination, you will also enjoy a team pasta dinner, celebration reception, team gear and perhaps most importantly, the company of other athletes equally committed to the cause.Joints in Motion is currently forming teams for marathons. As a participant, you'll receive everything you need to successfully complete the marathon, including:Round trip airfareGround transportationHotel accommodationMarathon entry feeTeam gearPersonalized trainingGroup runs/walksTeam functions - pasta dinner and celebrationCheck with your local region or office to find out which marathons teams in your area will be traveling to.If you do not live in an area with a team to join, the Joints in Motion has the VIRTUAL Joints In Motion training program available in certain areas of the U.S. It is designed to bring all of the benefits of Joints in Motion to people who do not live near an active program. 
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, Endurance Sports Examiner

Ryan Falkenrath, contributor to http://falkeetriathlon.blogspot.com/, is a married father of two, owner of two dogs and trying to balance life, work and multisport. Ryan has participated in multisport events in the midwest ranging from 5k's to 1/2 ironmans and marathons since 2001. Ryan's advice...

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