How many miles is a marathon?
26.2 miles
Do I have to run complete marathon to participate in this program?
No. You can also participate in our half-marathon program.
Which marathon will the team be running?
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday October 09, 2011. The Chicago Half Marathon in September 2011 is our choice for runners who wish to participate in half marathon.
What is Asha for Education?
Asha for Education is a non-profit organization engaged in the task of providing basic child education in India. To read more about Asha’s charter and projects please visit the Asha for Education
- Marathon training package – comprehensive training program conducted by professional, experienced coach.
- The opportunity to network with past marathoners.
- Buddy runs.
- Race registration.
- Clinics on running techniques, injury prevention, nutrition, gear selection.
- A celebration tent at the finish line where you can relax, chat with your fellow teammates and enjoy this accomplishment together.
What kind of commitment is expected from the runners?
- 4-5 months of training (train with a team once or twice every week)
- Weekly training schedule will be pursued individually.
- Raise the minimum amount of funds to support the cause of basic education of underprivileged children in India.
What do we do during training?
- We provide schedules for every day training. Well-paced training program consisting of hard training days, easy training days and cross training program etc.
- Opportunity to draw from the experience of past marathoners.
- Opportunity to learn running techniques and tips for injury prevention & diagnosis, nutrition, gear selection etc.
- Buddy runs (share with past participants and people who’ve raised funds)
What are the event costs?
Your training costs are dependent on the location that you select for the group runs. On an average it is $80 per person for the full marathon ($50 for the half marathon). Other costs include marathon registration ( we will negotiate a charity group discount), race t-shirt, and food/drink supplies during long runs.
What is Zero-Overhead Registration?
*Zero overhead registration option allows Team Asha runners to pay for all their expenses (race registration and training fee), thereby assuring their donors that 100% of their donations will go towards supporting projects in India.
What if use non-Zero-overhead Registration?
In this case, the training cost will come out of the funds that you raise. In our experience Zero-overhead Runners get greater donor support. As a zero-overhead runner your profile will clearly state that you are a Zero-overhead Team Asha runner, and you can inform your donors that 100% of their donations will go towards supporting the projects.
What if I’ve already registered for the marathon and will be training on my own, but still want to raise money for Asha?
If you have already paid for your registration and are not going to use your training, then we will not take a registration fee from you. And you can assure your donors that you have paid for your training and marathon registration fee – and you are in fact a zero-overhead registrant.
How much money actually goes towards the cause?
Not more than 10% will be spent on operational costs. We guarantee that at least 90% of the funds you raise will go towards the cause, maybe more if we limit the operating expenses.
I have never raised money for a cause. How do I go about fundraising?
- The backbone of the fundraising campaign will be a letter writing campaign (participants write letters to their friends, colleagues, family asking them to donate for the cause)
- There are several traditional notions about asking for money that you will need to overcome. Once you overcome these inhibitions, it is really an easy task. People will be glad to support you in the cause. Many people find donating money an easy alternative to committing time.
- Other fundraising strategies will be shared. – Last year, the Asha Silicon Valley team of 130 runners raised over $315,000. Almost all of them did this for the first time in their life. It’s highly doable and it’s a fun experience too! Every runner will have a personal runner’s page on Team Asha website, which will showcase the runner’s profile, including his/her running and fundraising goal, and the cause for which they are raising funds. The website will also accept online donations in different currencies
What will be my fundraising goal?
| Half Marathon | Full Marathon | |
| First time Team Asha Chicago runner | $700 | $1400 |
| Student runner | $500 | $1000 |
| Alumni of Team Asha Chicago | $500 | $1000 |
| Coordinator / Mentor discount | $100 | $200 |
| Couples discount | 25% off lower goal | 25% off lower goal |
| + Materials and registration costs are not included in above fundraising goals. ++ Training partner costs to be paid by runner during registration. +++ 75% of funds are expected to be raised 2 weeks prior to race day.++++ If target funds not raised, Team Asha admin retain the right to deny the runner entry into race. |
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What happens if I don’t make my fundraising minimum?
All the volunteers of Asha for Education will assist runners in coordinating fundraising efforts for the marathon on a pro bono basis. However, at the end of the program if you fall short of your commitment, Team Asha may, in very rare circumstances, “pull” your runner’s bib preventing your participation in the race if you raise less than 75% (85% for half-marathon runners) of the goal by 2 weeks before race day and have no justification for the shortfall. At that point, certain non-monetary contributions may be taken into account e.g., volunteered time, realized sponsorship or another secured, tangible benefit for Asha.
Where do the funds I raise go?
The funds raised will go towards some selected projects. You will have the opportunity to learn and even choose the projects you’ll help raise money for.
How do the donors send the funds?
The donors can send a check check made payable to Asha for Education:
Asha for Education, Chicago Chapter
P.O Box 2283
Chicago, IL 60690-2283
Make sure to include Team Asha – #your name# in the memo.
The Runner’s name NEEDS to be on the check. Cash donations are acceptable in dollars only. Foreign checks are acceptable.
When does the program begin?
The formal half/full marathon program begins in June, but we encourage our runners to start running now so that they are in good physical shape to enter the training program. To help with that, Team Asha started its weekend group runs on March 4th. Please join us for that so that you can start building mielage and meet others who are a part of Team Asha.
I’m in! Where do I go from here?
Signup for the program.
I want to know more?
Contact us