The Grassroot Project

On October 25, 2009, a team of runners will represent the Grassroot Project in the Washington D.C. Marine Corps Marathon, the 10th largest marathon in the world, a 26.2 mile course through Virginia and D.C. The MCM has a long history of supporting non-profit organizations, and we are proud to be affiliated with the event.

Besides the intense training and preparation needed to finish the race, our runners will be working hard to support the cause through their own awareness and fundraising campaigns.

The Grassroot Project is part of Athletes United for Social Justice. All donations are processed through secure PayPal transactions

Members of the Team and The Grassroot Project extend a special thanks to our sponsors

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Runners	Who we are	Donate
	KELLY ARLEDGE, MCM Team CaptainI have been working with the Grassroot Project since 2008. A former goalie for GU women's varsity soccer, I became an active runner just over a year ago. This will be my first marathon, and I hope to raise over $2,000. I'm passionate about our cause - the severity HIV/AIDS here in the US is so often overlooked, and yet here more so than anywhere in the world, we have the resources to truly address the problem and make a lasting impact on so many young lives. Thank you for your support, I truly believe athletics is an innovative, meaningful, and sustainable way to get our message through to these kids, and stop the cycle of HIV before it begins!
	Kathryn CogswellThere is an unbelievable need for programs like this in DC. Our city's youth are facing the country's highest HIV/AIDS rate, concentrated in a small geographic area. Strong, positive role models are a requisite blessing. Grassroot's passionate, motivated college athletes are the perfect medium for convection of HIV/AIDS awareness. The curriculum taught through sport is easily digested, yet profoundly comprehensive and empowering. It is changing lives. I am so honored to be able to run (my 4th marathon) for the Grassroot Project. In the process I hope to raise funds to give this organization the ability to continue to grow, empower, and make a difference.
	Kat Conlon
	Nick DobelbowerI'm excited to be running this year to support The Grassroot Project. As a native of the Washington, DC area who has worked in education for many years, I have seen what a challenge it is for young people to connect with good role models and receive good information to help them make smart life decisions. The fight against HIV/AIDS needs all of our continued attention and active support. I love running and it is wonderful to be able to put that love to work for a project so important to the young people of our community.
	Megan DunnI have been running since for 7 years and am finally entering into my first marathon! Being able to run and help others is an absolute dream- running is even more rewarding now that I know every mile I run helps those in need. My family has always been very active whether it be rafting, climbing, hiking, kayaking, you name it! Having an active lifestyle gives me the gift of health so by running to raise money for HIV/AIDS I can do my best to encourage and promote health in the communities in which I interact daily. I hope to do more activities like this and am looking forward to all my training leading up to MCM because I know what my training results in! Thank you so much for all your support leading up to October 25!
	Sudha GollapudiWhile I am very new to the sport of running, running a marathon has always been a goal of mine. I am honored and excited to be running my first one on behalf of such a great charity. The Grassroot Project is an organization started and run by inspiring individuals. They work tirelessly to educate at-risk kids in the area about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Given that D.C. has one of the nation's highest rates of HIV/AIDS, empowering the city's youth is extremely important. I hope you will consider making a contribution to support the Grassroot Project. Every contribution makes a difference. Thank you all for your support!
	Kelvin HillThis will be my first ever marathon! I have been running middle distance track for most of my life and so 26.2 miles will be a huge jump in distance for me and certainly the furthest i could ever imagine running at one time. Completing a marathon is one of my life goals and I am very excited to be able to raise money for a great cause like Grassroots in the process. I thank you for your support!
	Diek MinkhorstI've been running since high school and this is going to be my second time running the MCM. This is a fantastic race and I'm extremely excited to be running it again. I'm even more excited to be running it for a cause this go around! Grassroots is one of the best organizations on Georgetown's campus. Every dollar we raise will be going towards a great cause and great kids! Hope you'll all support us!
	Bart Moore
	Alexa PolettoThis is my first marathon and I am very excited to be running for such a significant cause as the Grassroot Project, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. I have always been a long-distance runner, but this year I have decided to take the plunge and train for this big challenge; not only to meet a personal goal, but more importantly, to help an important charity. I appreciate every contribution that you can make, no matter the amount. Remember: In Washington D.C., 1 out of every 20 people is HIV Positive. Let’s work together to change that shocking statistic.
	Emma PorteusI am excited to be part of the Grassroot Hoyas marathon team! This will be my first real running event and I figured a marathon was the best way to start off my running career. I swam competitively in high school and here at Georgetown and began to take on more distance running this year. Completing a marathon has been a goal of mine for some time now and I am looking forward to running these 26.2 miles around DC where the Grassroot Project aims to raise HIV/AIDS awareness for kids. Thank you for supporting such a great cause!
	Kelly RussoI started running races less than two years ago with the Hilltop 5k and after running the Marine Corp Marathon last year i realized that running is so much more than a physical activity. The support i received from my friends and family was amazing. The ups and downs i experienced from the first day of training to crossing the finish line has brought me back again this year and i am thrilled to be apart of the Grassroot Hoyas team. I hope that my efforts will help the large population affected by HIV/AIDS in Washington DC. My goal is to raise a dollar for each miles i will run starting with my first day of training through the end of the actual 26.2 miles. So far i plan to run a total of 444 miles!
	Ian SmithI am extremely excited to be joining the Grassroots team for my 2nd marathon! As a result of growing up in a very active family, and playing college soccer at SUNY Fredonia, I have always valued fitness and staying in shape; but exercising for a worthy cause brings an element of purpose and accomplishment that can not be matched. As most of you know, I ran my 1st marathon (Honolulu) with my brother, Corey, and we were successful in raising over $7000 dollars for the Walt Whitman AIDS clinic in D.C. This is a fight that is very important to me, and I would like to thank everyone for their continued support as I partner with the Grassroots Project and Division I college athletes to educate at-risk youth about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!!!!!