Marching 4th on Summit: Running With Purpose This Fall

On October 3–4, 2026, I’ll be running the TC Loony Challenge (three races in 2 days - 5K, 10K, and 10-mile) as part of the Children’s Minnesota Charity Team during the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend—and this race means more to me than any finish time ever could.

When our son Barrett was born, our world stopped. In the most overwhelming and vulnerable moment of our lives, Children’s Minnesota was there. The care, compassion, and expertise our family received in the NICU quite literally changed our lives—and that care didn’t end when we left the hospital. It continues to support our family today.

Children’s Minnesota—and especially the St. Paul campus—will always hold a special place in my heart.

Why I’m Running

Children’s Minnesota’s mission is to “champion the health needs of children and families” through the highest‑quality, family‑centered care—and we’ve lived that mission firsthand.

As I run down Summit Avenue, I’ll be thinking about all the times I drove that same road to the NICU, where my sweet boy was receiving the best care possible. Those miles represent love, fear, hope, resilience, and ultimately gratitude.

This run is my way of saying thank you—and of paying it forward.

Running for Families Like Ours

It is truly an honor to run on behalf of Children’s Minnesota. Every dollar raised helps ensure that families facing their own unexpected journeys receive the same compassionate, expert care that carried us through ours.

By supporting this run, you’re helping:

• Families navigating NICU stays
• Children who need specialized, lifesaving care
• Parents who need hope during some of their hardest moments

How You Can Help

If you’re able to donate, share this page, or simply cheer us on, please know it means more than I can put into words. Your support directly impacts children and families who need it most.

Together, we can help make sure kids and families continue to receive the care they deserve—when they need it most.

A Family Affair 💙

And for those wondering—this truly is a family run:

• Barrett will be joining Chris and me for the weekend by toddler running/walking the 5K
• He’ll also be cheering me on:
• Saturday during the 10K
• Sunday morning at 24th & Summit during the 10‑mile race

From NICU drives to finish‑line cheers—every mile tells our story.

Thank you for being part of this journey.
Thank you for supporting Children’s Minnesota.
And thank you for helping families like ours.

💙

#ChildrensMinnesota #RunningForPreemies #NICUStrong #TCMarathonWeekend