Run For Cures for Crohn's & Colitis With Team Challenge This Winter

NEW YORK, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's endurance training and fundraising program, Team Challenge, is thrilled to unveil its upcoming race portfolio with 11 great endurance events scheduled this winter including:

• TriRock San Diego - September 21
• IRONMAN Chattanooga - September 28
• Chicago Marathon - October 14 (limited entries)
• New York Marathon - November 1 (limited entries)
• Bike the Coast - November 1
• TriRock Clearwater November 9th
• Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon on November 16th
• Palm Beaches Marathon & Run Fest - December 7th
• Metro PCS Dallas Marathon & Half Marathon - December 14th
• Disney World Half Marathon – January 10, 2015 (limited entries)
• Star Wars Half Marathon- January 17, 2015 (limited entries)

"Our researchers are working furiously to find cures, and in the meantime, CCFA is taking care of the people suffering from these diseases," said Richard Geswell, President & CEO of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).  "If you are a patient, when you cross that finish line with Team Challenge, you're going to feel empowered in a way you never have before; you've just taken back control of your body," said Geswell. 

Over the past seven years, Team Challenge has become one of the premier multisport endurance training programs in the country, having trained nearly 12,000 runners, walkers, triathletes and cyclists.  Since its inception, Team Challenge has raised nearly $55 million to further the Foundation's mission, accounting for a quarter of CCFA's total investment of $200 million toward groundbreaking research, patient and professional education, and patient support programs.

"Team Challenge not only introduced me to a group of people that I now consider family; but in the process of training and fundraising, I found myself again. I learned that in sharing my story through fundraising; friends, family and even strangers are more supportive than I could have ever imagined. I learned that in crossing the finish line in Vegas, I am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for," said Jillian Jacobs, Team Challenge alum. 

In exchange for fundraising, Team Challenge participants receive personalized training by professional run and walk coaches in local markets for an entire season.  Additionally, the training program includes clinics and helpful tips on topics like nutrition, hydration, and injury prevention.  Participants also receive an expenses-paid weekend to a great destination race covering race registration fees, lodging, meals, and travel accommodations.

To join Team Challenge this winter at one of their great destination races and to help find cures for IBD, please visit www.ccteamchallenge.org.  Local information meetings are currently underway.  For those who want the convenience of learning more about the program from their computer, the following webinars will provide an overview of the program and field questions.  Webinar details below:

About Team Challenge
With Team Challenge you can run or walk a half marathon, train for a triathlon, or ride in a great cycling event at one our amazing destination races while helping to find cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic and often debilitating digestive diseases that impact 1.4 million Americans.  For more information on Team Challenge, please visit www.ccteamchallenge.org to register today!

About The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America:
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the leading organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's and colitis are debilitating medically incurable digestive diseases that affect 1 in 200 Americans, including 150,000 children nationwide. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. CCFA raises critical dollars for breakthrough research, public and professional education, and patient support services in communities across the nation, helping patients to live more fulfilling lives. Learn more about Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and CCFA at www.ccfa.org.

Contact: Robbie Bellon, [email protected] 646-943-7430

SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America