Marathon Team Updates #4

Saturday Training Runs Start on 12/16 + Post-Run Bagels!

Saturday training runs start next Saturday, 12/16, with Coach John. Teammates will embark on a six – 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 and you will have access to a changing area and water. Be sure to check out John’s website or his latest email 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.

Be sure to wear your Stepping Strong wicking hat and be ready for a group photo that we will take before you depart! Ali, Ally, and Caroline will be there on Saturday so please call/text Ally (857 523 8052) or Ali (857 505 1225) if you need any support Saturday morning.

After the run on 12/16, join us back at Joint Ventures for bagels and mingling! Please RSVP by clicking HERE ASAP, but no later than 12/12, so we have an accurate count.

Fundraising Tip of the Week

The holiday season provides your community of family and friends with a wonderful reason to support a great cause. In lieu of gifts, ask your network to donate directly to your TeamRaiser page.

Matching Gifts

Matching gifts are a great way to double the funds you raise. Please make sure to review the matching gift document on the runner portal and follow these simple steps to ensure you receive credit:

  • Step 1: Ask your employer if the company has a matching gift program; ask your donors if their company has a matching gift program.
  • Step 2: Complete the required paperwork for your company; note that each company has their own form. Make sure your donors have completed any required paperwork as well.
  • Step 3 (IMPORTANT!): Email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu the confirmation email or document that a matching gift was submitted from ‘X’ company, in the amount of ‘$X’ from ‘X’ employee/donor. If a confirmation document was not received, please have the donor email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu with the above information confirming they submitted the request.

Offline Donation Reminders

Please remind your supporters to donate to your individual TeamRaiser fundraising page link that you provide and not the BWH main giving site. This will ensure immediate and proper crediting to your fundraising page. And please be patient! All offline donations (any donation not received via TeamRaiser) take 2 – 6 weeks to be processed and added to individual fundraising pages. If you are missing a gift, reach out and we will help figure it out.

Marathon Sports Shopping Week

Make sure to stop by Marathon Sports, located at 671 Boylston Street, Boston, NOW until December 10 to stock up on all your marathon gear! There will be a 15 percent discount (excluding electronics and items that are already marked down) for all Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team runners, just mention you are a member of our team.

If you are unable to make it to the store, buy online! Please use the code STEPPINGSTRONG15 at checkout up until 12/10 at 12pm. This code is only for members of the Stepping Strong team and should not be shared with family members or friends. The code is limited to one use per customer.

ALSO, all teammates are also invited to join Marathon Sports and their holiday run on Thursday, December 13! Check out their website for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

P.S. 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.

Marathon Sports Shopping Week

Make sure to stop by Marathon Sports, located at 671 Boylston Street, Boston, between December 4 – 10 to stock up on all your marathon gear! There will be a 15 percent discount (excluding electronics and items that are already marked down) for all Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team runners, just mention you are a member of our team.

If you are unable to make it to the store, buy online! Please use the code STEPPINGSTRONG15 at checkout up until 12/10 at 12pm. This code is only for members of the Stepping Strong team and should not be shared with family members or friends. The code is limited to one use per customer.

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Join us for the 6th Annual Trauma Research and Innovation Symposium

The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation is proud to present the 6th Annual Trauma Research and Innovation Symposium, being held on November 16, 2023, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and virtually. The event will feature presentations from Stepping Strong-funded researchers, a panel of speakers who have seen the clinical impacts from various medical disciplines, a keynote presentation from emergency medicine and preparedness expert, Paul Biddinger, MD on the response to trauma, and the announcement of the 2023 Breakthrough Award recipient.

With the history and founding of the Stepping Strong Center in mind, this year’s theme, Ten Years Later: Advancements in Trauma Care After the Boston Marathon Bombing, spotlights healthcare innovations and changes in the field of trauma that resulted from the tragic events of April 15, 2013.

All are welcome to attend, with special encouragement for researchers and clinical leaders from fields such as trauma, emergency medicine, reconstruction, plastic and orthopaedic surgery, vascular, bioengineering, injury prevention, basic science, public health, policy, and community-based organizations. If you are not in the medical community, we recommend arriving / signing on closer to 5pm for the keynote presentation from Paul Biddinger, MD and award announcements.

Click here to register for the event on Thursday, November 16

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Stepping Strong Center at steppingstrong@bwh.harvard.edu.

If you have any questions about marathon, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Marathon Team Updates #2

It was so great kicking off our season last weekend! We hope you are excited as we are! Don’t forget to…

Join us on Strava!

We highly encourage all to join the 2024 Brigham Stepping Strong Marathon Team on Strava ASAP! Teammates have been introducing themselves as we prepare for the season, and we also post updates in the group. You do not need to use the app to record your runs or anything…it is just another way to be involved with your teammates and us!

  1. Download Strava: Run, Ride, Swim
  2. Sign Up or Log In
  3. In the bottom of the app click on “Groups” and then click on “Clubs” in the upper right
  4. Type in “2024 Stepping Strong Marathon Team”
  5. Request to join our club
  6. Post, share photos and more!

Enter our Hotel Room Chance Drawing

Now until 11/20 you can add your name (1 entry per runner) to be entered into a chance drawing for one of ten hotel rooms at the Revere Hotel Boston Common. We can’t recommend this hotel enough and we host all marathon weekend events there! You can submit your name by clicking HERE!

Purchase Your Stepping Strong Swag

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to purchase Stepping Strong swag! You have until 11/17 at 5pm to make your purchases in time for the holidays!

Signup for a Small Team Gathering

Spots are filling fast if you want to join the Reny family and get to know your teammates in a small setting!! RSVP for one date on the runner portal! Remember, we have limited space for these gatherings, and it is first come first serve!

KEEP FUNDRAISING! Reminder all teammates who raise $3,000 by November 30 will receive a custom Stepping Strong wicking long sleeve shirt or crewneck sweatshirt for our first fundraising milestone!!

Fundraising Tip of the Week

Customizing your fundraising page with YOUR story and a photo of you, makes your donors feel more connected! If a family member or friend shared your link with their people, wouldn’t you want their networks to know your WHY and support you!? If you need help with uploading a photo or suggestions, reach out to us!

If you have any questions about marathon, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Special delivery coming your way!

Keep an eye out for a SPECIAL DELIVERY that will be coming this week to the address on your application. GET EXCITED!

Feel free to wear your special delivery at our first team meeting THIS Saturday, November 4 either in-person or on Zoom!

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

P.S. If your address has changed, please alert us ASAP.