CHICAGO, IL (April 21, 2011) – Paddy McCormack’s plan to run 240 miles in eight days to benefit a ministry to the homeless already has inspired soldiers in Iraq and children in Chicago to Strive4More.
McCormack sets out April 29 to run the ultra-marathons of 30 miles a day to raise awareness of homelessness and support Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO), which is a ministry of Jesus People USA. The church is an Evangelical Covenant Church congregation.
McCormack will conclude his journey on May 6 in Busnell, Illinois, site of Jesus People’s Cornerstone Festival. It will be “Cornerstone to Cornerstone,” says Andrew Winter, CCO financial manager and a member of the support team.
In addition to raising awareness and funds, McCormack wants to inspire others to go beyond what they may already think is “doing enough” in any aspect of their lives.
“Strive4More challenges us to a realignment of what we do,” says McCormack. “If you want to be a better student or teacher, then Strive4More. If you want to be a better friend, then Strive4More. If you want to be a better son or daughter, then Strive4More. If you want to be a better parent then Strive4More. The list goes on.”
Troops at a base in Iraq already are aligning themselves with McCormack’s mission. They are running a 100K to benefit CCO.
In Chicago, third through sixth graders at Uptown Christian School (UCS) are running 1.6 miles a day for 19 days to Strive4More. They are raising pledges per mile for their 30 miles of running to donate to the ministry. They already have raised more than $800.
This is the second year McCormack has made the trek. To see a video of last year’s run, click here.
The ministry still is looking for sponsors interested in partnering with the event this year. New Balance, one of the supporters, is doing giveaways at select points along the route.
For more information or to offer suggestions for how individuals can Strive4More in other areas of life that can be posted to the website, call CCO at 773-413-0226.
To see the daily route, visit the Strive4More website and click the “next” button at the bottom of the page.