Share The Love Virtual Run/Walk 2021

        By registering for the Share The Love Virtual Run/Walk 2021 you'll be joining us in celebrating our great friend/fellow runner Anton Maillie. Anton started pounding the pavement in 2003, jogging laps around his block determined to drop a few pounds. Those pounds and a lot more were shed as he gained mileage beyond his block. His journey as a serious runner began in 2004, as did his love for distance running. Completing the LA marathon was the first but he quickly followed it up with his second in Dublin. Who knew he would take that jog around the block and run with it worldwide? Conquering over 20 marathons, he became the 153rd man in the world to run a marathon on every continent!

        His running accomplishments are only one reason we celebrate him. The other, his philanthropy. Since there’s not enough space to include all of his philanthropic work, we’ll stick to what he has done through running. He realized the Dublin marathon was more than a running challenge, it was an opportunity to raise money for WeSpark, a nonprofit cancer support center. The devastating disease stole Anton's mom at an early age and left Anton with contempt for the disease and great empathy for those suffering from it. Ultimately, that decision to use the Dublin marathon to fundraise for WeSpark brought in $10,000 and launched Anton’s quest to raise more money through running.

        By combining two passions - his love of running and desire to support Cancer patients and their families - in 2009 he founded the 1st Annual Run/Walk for WeSpark. Over the past years, this annual run has brought in over $1.5 million for the nonprofit.  Running or "physical meditation" (as Anton likes to call it) has benefited 1000's of people struggling under cancer's wrath.

        In a sad twist of fate, the day WeSpark honored Anton at their January 26, 2020, 10th Annual Run/Walk, he announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease). This devastating disease affects 5,000 people each year and can strike at any age. Those with ALS will lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe. According to the ALS Society, the average out-of-pocket cost of ALS is $250,000. The average life span from diagnosis is two to five years and there is no cure.

        We want to raise awareness for this incurable malady as we support our friend. All proceeds from this event will directly go to support Anton’s medical needs. So lace up and Run/Walk by yourself or form a team! You can run, jog, walk, hop, skip, or cartwheels. Do anything that makes you smile at your own pace, on your own time, on your own route and you have a whole month to complete your distance (in one day of course). Just make sure you clock your time and post it on the Friends of Anton + Mari Facebook page with a really cool picture. When you sign-up between March 15th and April 10th we will send you a nice t-shirt, but hurry they won’t last. If you register after April 10th you will not be eligible to receive a t-shirt. 

        Lastly, you pick the distance, run/walk a ½ marathon, a 10k, or a 5k whatever your heart desires! Whatever you decide, do it for joy. Do it for the challenge. Do it for fun but mostly, do it for LOVE 💟💕  #IrunforAnton