Running for a Cause: Supporting Special Children's Charities

This past month, Erin Sullivan ran her 5th marathon supporting Special Children's Charities, Fleet Feet Chicago's October Charity of the Month. We caught up with Erin just before her race to learn why supporting this specific charity means so much to her.

Q: When did you first start running?

Erin: I first started running in high school, but I was a sprinter on the track team and hated distance running. I watched the 2019 Chicago Marathon and decided I wanted to participate the following year. I joined the Special Children's Charities team for the 2020 Chicago Marathon and started training. Unfortunately, that year's marathon was canceled but I decided to go out and run 26.2 miles on my own. That year got me hooked and this year will be my fifth marathon in support of Special Children's Charities.

Q: What is your favorite part about running? 

Erin: My favorite part about running is the feeling I get after. I love the sense of accomplishment when I complete a long run!

Q: How does your running and training flow with the work you do on the Associate Board for Special Children's Charities? 

Erin: My work with the Associate Board and those that we serve is what keeps me going during those long runs. When things get hard, I remind myself why I am doing it!

Q: What does getting to represent Special Children's Charities mean to you? 

Erin: Through my work on the Associate Board, I get to experience first-hand the programs that Special Children's Charities offers. I consider many of our participants close friends of mine and I love getting to represent them as I run 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago!

Q: If you could leave everyone with one piece of information about Special Children's Charities, what would it be? 

Erin: Special Children's Charities supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all of Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. Many of our participants are at or below the poverty line and would not be able to enjoy the programs that Special Children's Charities offers without the funds raised through the Chicago Marathon.

Make sure to stop in-store at Fleet Feet Chicago during the month of October and donate to Special Children's Charities.