AlzRun 2024: Ultra Trail Runs in 50 States to Stop Alzheimer’s

90 second video highlights of the second half and first half.

Every other day a new state and a beautiful route.
Video highlights for each state here or @AlzRun on Instagram.


Please donate here!

Purpose

This trip will be an adventure—an opportunity to challenge ourselves with something hard and likely full of unforgettable moments of discovery, beauty, and joy. And it is a way for those of us grieving family members or loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s—or concerned about future generations—to share our stories and together raise money for research focused on ending Alzheimer’s. Here is my “Why?” What’s yours? Let’s do what we can together to stop this disease.

Might you join a run?

My dream is to recruit at least one runner in each state to join me when I visit your state, maybe a few. And I hope runners feel comaraderie with ultrarunners in other states, those running before or after. Inspiring each other. All wanting to support Alzheimer’s research, and perhaps share our stories. If you might be interested, please see the runner information page for details. Registration opens May 17th on RunReg. And feel free to reach out so we can discuss what might work best for you. Thank you!

The Routes!

I’ve selected, modified or created an ultra-distance route in each state to explore celebrated terrain and habitats that span our country.

I’ve tried to pick routes just at the edge of what I feel capable of, but each of us is different and much depends on us choosing our own challenges.

Many routes have opportunies for a relay team of family and friends, and most can be shortened or lengthened into the right-sized challenge for you. If you might be interested, we can discuss how to make a route safe and rewarding for you.

Why Cure Alz Fund?

CureAlz funding has led to many key breakthroughs in understanding the causes and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. They are hopeful about the prospects ahead to stop this disease that affects my family—maybe yours too.

They award funds quickly to research that shows great promise or targets a critical piece of the puzzle, guided by an extraordinary research advisory group that brings expertise from around the world on every aspect of Alzheimer’s Disease. Donating to CureAlz makes an impact.

Please Donate to CureAlz

At the end of the day, raising money for research to cure Alzheimer’s disease is the goal of this campaign. Thank you for any donation you can make:

Want to join w/o running?

Many important ways to get involved in your state, should you want to play a key role without running all day. (and night?!)

  • In every state, local promotion and outreach is essential and logistically challenging for me. Please help spread the word. Here is an AlzRun flyer you can kindly post.

  • On travel days, I’d love to arrange for walks or visits with local folks who have Alzheimer’s stories to share.

  • Follow @AlzRun on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or Strava (club or my profile)

  • You can have your own fundraising page, and join fundraising teams with other participants. (Simply register and chose the No Running option.)

  • Some routes could have crewing opportunities mid-route to replenish fuel, hydration, and motivation.

  • A few states have point-to-point routes requiring a shuttle to the start.

  • And of course donating to support Cure Alzheimer’s Fund would be super-appreciated.

  • And you can buy an AlzRun Hat and help
    spread the word!

Stay tuned

There are a variety of ways you can join in, whether in person or virtually. From a 90 second video highlight reel after each run to a live GPS map feed. Please follow/subscribe/join!

AlzRun 2011: OR to RI

In 2011, I made one of my best—or perhaps luckiest—decisions: choosing Cure Alzheimer’s Fund to receive donations from a cross-continental fundraising run. I decided to run because I needed time and focus to process the grief of losing my dad from early-onset Alzheimer’s.

That experience of nationwide engagement, and doing something when feeling powerless, guides AlzRun 2024.

I had no expectation that the money raised would feel consequential, but it did thanks to CureAlz. And I had no idea that a “solo” run would turn into one of the strongest community experiences of my life.

Do you have local knowledge of a route?

Please click the contact button below if you have local advice on any of these trails, whether trail conditions and easily overlooked hazards or preferred variations and alternatives. Also feel free to affirm a route as a good choice. Thank you!

Representation

A primary goal of this project is to share diverse experiences with Alzheimer’s disease spanning the entire country. Women and communities of color are affected disproportionatly by Alzheimer’s disease, so it is a particular priority to support participation by members of historically marginalized communities in these runs and highlight their voices.

Sponsors

  • Super-excited that Inov8—the UK brand cherished for their trail shoe grip on all terrain, in all conditions—is supporting AlzRun! My first pair of trail shoes was one of their early models, a hand-me-down pair from Todd to Sanjay to me. Well broken in! I wore them until they fell apart because they had the grip of climbing shoes attached to a supremely comfortable upper. Their technical clothing reflects their English Lake District roots, where it is not always blue skies and gentle breezes. These design priorities are critical for AlzRun. More soon.

  • My dear friends Julie Caswell, Richard Rogers, and Linda & Robert Pearson have underwritten administrative costs for AlzRun, which allows me to, among other things, eliminate registration fees for runners who join me. So grateful to reduce barriers for participation, so we can put our energy into running and fundraising. (There is no greater blessing than to have people in your life who always have your back.)

Special thanks

  • My friends at Natural High Running Company for featuring AlzRun at the 2024 Free Spirit 50k and making a generous donation to CureAlz. Join on May 18th for a challenging run on some of the most gorgeous hilltown gravel roads anywhere.

  • Attn Barry Auskern for help navigating insurance and liability issues and your kind affirmations.

Media coverage

Image credits

  • Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Glenn Caffery, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.

  • Google Earth Pro flyover and route images © Google.

  • Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve photo atop the routes page by US NPS: “June 2006 rain on the prairie.”

Let’s do this together

Do you have questions about AlzRun? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! Feel free to email—address at bottom of page.