What is your why?
This question was posed by Run Far, Inc. founder, CJ Schneider III to over 100 OCR enthusiasts attending a fundraising event held at Phoenix Evolution in Chandler, Arizona on Sunday, April 22nd. Schneider's “why” is clear; as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and an Ultra Marathon runner, his primary goal is to bring people together through fitness while raising awareness about Veteran suicide and PTSD.
22 military veterans commit suicide each day.
The grief-stricken families are often left behind broken, and with bills piling up and nowhere to turn to for assistance, that is where Run Far, Inc. steps in. Their mission is to serve the military family who is an integral part of a Veterans sacrifice to our country. When a veteran loses their battle to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or any other service related mental disease, Run Far, Inc. strives to ensure those left behind are not forgotten. Run Far, Inc. has chosen to stand alongside our veterans by providing financial support and educational assistance to their children who are left behind. Through their mission, they will spread the message of the mental disease, and suicide epidemic is plaguing our armed services, active, guard, reserve, prior service and retired.
LaShay Marks (a former Marine) and Allison Frumker of Phoenix Evolution recognized the passion behind Schneider‘s cause and decided to reach out to see if the OCR community could team up with Run Far to spread awareness and raise funds for the foundation. Phoenix Evolution hosted an OCR fundraising event that introduced Schneider and his team to the world of obstacle course racing and introduced the Arizona OCR community to Run Far. The event boasted incredible raffles, apparel sales, spear throw competitions with “The Painted Warrior,” Stephen Sinek, an incredible gauntlet of over 15 obstacles, tire flipping competitions as well as heartfelt and inspirational messages from Marks, Schneider, Sinek and former marine, Eric Southward.
This first event not only raised over $2500 for the cause but raised awareness and created an opportunity for Obstacle Course Racers throughout the country to team up with Run Far, Inc. If you are interested in learning more, becoming an ambassador, donating or purchasing apparel from Run Far, Inc. you can visit their website at https://www.run-far.org/ 100 percent of all profits from donations and purchases go directly to the Sergeant Sean Northcutt Scholarship, assisting the children of veterans who have taken their own life.