Support A Stepping Strong Runner Day…but with the chance to win CELTICS TICKETS!!

You know the day is for YOU and YOUR DONORS, but we are thrilled to announce that we have two pairs of Red Auerbach seats available for the April 7 Celtics game against the Kings at 7:30pm. To make it even more exciting, every team member who secures at least ONE donation of $50 or more on March 26 will be entered into a chance drawing. Two lucky winners will each receive a pair of tickets. GET EXCITED!

Reminder, on Support a Stepping Strong Runner Day, make sure to ask everyone you know to support your run and remember that all new $50+ donations will receive a Stepping Strong hat. You can find suggested language here for any emails or social posts you want to push out!

If you have any questions or concerns, email marathotneam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline  

Marathon Team Updates #8 + Saturday Training Run Plan

Don’t forget! Our second team meeting is two weeks away on Thursday, January 25 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm EST! We can’t wait to see you – details below and be sure to RSVP for the team meeting!

Saturday’s Training Run (Not riverside, as planned!)

This Saturday, January 13th, WOULD BE our first scheduled Riverside Run. HOWEVER, due to the current forecast of torrential rains on Saturday morning, the run will start at 9:00am you will do a 10 – 12 mile out and back run starting and ending at Joint Ventures, the same as our typical group long runs. Ali, Ally, and Caroline will not be at this run, please but reach out if you need any support Saturday morning. Be sure to check out Coach John’s latest email or his website for more information and to keep up to date on the training schedule.

B.A.A. Registration

A friendly reminder to add to your calendars for late January/early February– the 2024 Boston Marathon Registration Fee.

All charity team members on the Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon team will be required to register and pay the $375 entry fee to the B.A.A. (amount subject to change per the B.A.A.) that does not count towards the runner’s fundraising minimum. This fee will be collected separately via an email from the B.A.A. that will arrive to your inbox in late January/early February. Do NOT panic if you hear about other runners registering. We hold off you registering too soon, because once you register, bibs are nontransferable and nonrefundable, and runners are responsible for their fundraising commitment whether they are able to participate in the race or not.

Fundraising Check-In Calls

A friendly that fundraising calls start TOMORROW and continue bi-weekly through 4/12! While not mandatory, these are a great chance to check-in with us about all things fundraising and make sure you feel prepared to cross your fundraising finish lines. CLICK HERE to sign up.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Marathon Team Updates #7

2024…the year YOU will run the Boston Marathon! This is a long email with reminders and updates, so please be sure to review in its entirety and email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu with any questions.

Second Team Meeting (Virtual) – Thursday, January 25

We hope you will be able to join your teammates for our second team meeting, that will be held virtually, on January 25, from 6:00–7:30pm. You won’t want to miss out on team updates and hear from Stepping Strong Center leadership and grateful patients.

RSVP for the team meeting HERE.

First Fundraising Deadline: $2,000 raised by January 31st at 11:59PM

Per the runner contract that you signed, each individual charity member of the Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team agrees to meet or exceed the personal fundraising minimums by the following deadlines:

  • January 31, 2024: Minimum of at least $2,000 raised
  • March 30, 2024: Minimum of at least $5,000 raised
  • June 1, 2024: Remaining fundraising commitment raised

As a reminder, if you have not reached the $2,000 minimum by 11:59PM on the 31st, your credit card will be charged for the incremental amount to reach the deadline. These charges will be applied to your total fundraising commitment and will not be refunded. In addition, you will not receive your B.A.A. race registration until you complete a call with our team to review your fundraising.

If you have incoming donations, or incoming matching gifts, please alert us ASAP so we can make sure we update your total, even if the gifts haven’t arrived to us yet / aren’t on your page. If you plan on meeting the commitment by making an outright donation, you can do so directly onto your TeamRaiser without us having to charge your card.

If you plan on making an outright donation to fulfill the commitment, please do so prior to 1/31/2024.

Fundraising Check-In Calls

Our team is hosting fundraising check-in calls throughout the marathon season to support YOU! While not mandatory, these are a great chance to check-in with us and make sure you feel prepared for your marathon fundraising. CLICK HERE to sign up. Calls will start on Friday, January 12 and continue bi-weekly through Friday, April 5.

Fundraising Tip

Super Bowl Sunday will be here before we know it, and selling squares is a great way to raise money. To learn more about setting up Super Bowl squares, check out this website.

Fundraising Milestones

All runners who raise $6,000 by January 31 will receive a North Face Beanie or Hydro Flask Tumbler for our second fundraising milestone!! Make sure to check out these great swag pieces that ALL teammates are eligible to receive if they reach the fundraising benchmarks listed under the swag!

Fundraising Challenges

We love a good challenge to get everyone involved! Starting this week, we will begin the March Madness fundraising challenge. Each month, two teammates will win swag, if they were the highest fundraiser or if received the most donations. On 4/1, the individual who raises the most money and the individual who receives the most donations, will receive a custom Stepping Strong YETI! Please note that if you are fundraising with other runners on a ‘team’, the totals will be divided amongst the number of people you are fundraising with.

Team Training Runs and Weekly Newsletter

This Saturday’s run on 1/6 will be a ten – twelve mile run that starts at Joint Venture Physical Therapy (533 Commonwealth Ave in Kenmore Square, Boston) at 8AM. Doors will open at 7:30AM and Ali will be there, so make sure to make to introduce yourselves if you haven’t! Please call/text Ali at 857 505 1225 if you need any support Saturday morning.

Be sure to check out Coach John’s website for more information and to keep up to date on the training schedule. Make sure you are signed up to receive weekly email updates from Coach John, which are separate from our emails, to keep you informed, educated, and motivated for this season’s Boston Marathon training. Click here to subscribe to his newsletter!

Don’t forget to send us your photos!

Stretching/preparing to run, training/running outside & inside, in your Stepping Strong gear, and selfies & “point-of-view” shots are encouraged! Email to marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or text to 857 523 8052!

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the runner portal fundraising tab (http://marathon.bwhevents.org/fundraising/) for tons of fundraising tips and tricks and resources!

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The year you will run the Boston Marathon!!!

Big congratulations to our team for already raising an impressive $533,680 – AMAZING! Keep up the fantastic work! Don’t forget we are here to support you every step of the way either by email, call, or text.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Marathon Team Updates #6

TeamRaiser Story + First Team Fundraising Deadline: January 31

By now, all runners should have taken the time to update their TeamRaiser fundraising page with a personal photo and story to tell donors why you are running the 2024 Boston Marathon with the Brigham Stepping Strong Team. This is the first step in helping you meet the first team fundraising deadline of $2,000 that must be raised by January 31. Check out this helpful video explaining how to log-in to your participant center, edit your fundraising page, and email your donors on TeamRaiser!

If you have not raised $2,000 by 11:59PM on January 31, the credit card we have on file will be charged for the incremental amount to meet the obligation per the runner contract. This charge will be applied to your TeamRaiser page and will not be refunded. If you are expecting a matching gift, check, Donor Advised Fund (DAF) gift, or have concerns or questions please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu ASAP.

Fundraising Check-In Calls

Our team is hosting fundraising check-in calls throughout the marathon season to support YOU! While not mandatory, these are a great chance to check-in with us and make sure you feel prepared for your marathon fundraising. CLICK HERE to sign up. Calls will start on Friday, January 12 and continue bi-weekly through Friday, April 5.

Fundraising Tip

Think about reaching out to a team alum! We have 34 amazing teammates from years past who would LOVE to support you. Click here to see the full list and their emails to make a connection and ask for their best fundraising tips and tricks.

Also, sending thank you notes is a simple yet powerful way to acknowledge your donors. Make sure to say thank you to everyone who has supported you since your journey to 26.2 began. Send emails, write personal notes, tag people on social media, and thank them in person. Your note might inspire donors to give again in the New Year!

Fundraising Challenges

We love a good challenge to get everyone involved! Starting on 1/1, we will begin the March Madness fundraising challenge. Each month, two teammates will win swag if they were the highest fundraiser or if they received the most donations. On 4/1, the individual who raises the most money and the individual who receives the most donations, will receive a custom Stepping Strong YETI! Please note that if you are fundraising with other runners on a ‘team’, the totals will be divided amongst the number of people you are fundraising with.

Team Training Runs and Weekly Newsletter

This Saturday’s run on 12/30 will be an eight– ten mile run that starts at Joint Venture Physical Therapy (533 Commonwealth Ave in Kenmore Square, Boston) at 8AM. Doors will open at 7:30AM. Our team will not be there this weekend, but we look forward to seeing you on 1/6!

Be sure to check out Coach John’s latest email or his website for more information and to keep up to date on the training schedule. Make sure you are signed up to receive weekly email updates from Coach John, which are separate from our emails, to keep you informed, educated, and motivated for this season’s Boston Marathon training. Click here to subscribe to his newsletter!

Don’t forget to send us your photos!

Stretching/preparing to run, training/running outside & inside, in your Stepping Strong gear, and selfies & “point-of-view” shots are encouraged! Email to marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or text to 857 523 8052!

Reminder: If for some reason your plans change and you are not able to participate on the team, please let us know by January 1, 2024. After January 1, 2024, you will be responsible for your fundraising commitment, regardless of if you are able to run or not in April.

Warm wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

P.S. A friendly reminder that we will not be accessible from 5pm Friday, December 29 until 8am on Tuesday, January 2. Make sure to check out the runner portal for all your needs. If you have an urgent question, please call/text Ally (857 523 8052), Ali (857 505 1225) or email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu if you have any questions.