Event Description
A group of Grinnell College alums, parents, students, and coaches have brainstormed an idea to connect alums, faculty, students, family and friends far and near by creating this run/walk/bike/swim/roll challenge to benefit the Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) that serves Poweshiek County (MICA). MICA is a private, nonprofit organization serving children and families in central Iowa which has been hit hard, first by Covid and then the Derecho.
Our goal is to collectively travel 25,000 miles (the distance around the world) while raising $25,000 for MICA! We can do it! Bookmark this site so you can track our progress toward reaching both of these goals.
What: Choose an achievable distance goal for yourself to virtually run/walk/bike/swim or roll (human powered). Log your activity in RunSignup. Earn milestone badges along the way. See your progress on the virtual map as you log your activity and travel from the Iowa border in Council Bluffs, IA to Grinnell - 182 miles to Exit 182! No problem if you want to do less mileage or more, you set your own goal.
Teams: You can create and/or join a 3 person team and see both your own and your team's progress. Most creative team name wins special recognition!
As part of this challenge that runs from Oct 31 to Dec 31, we're offering free weekend virtual races starting the weekend of Oct 10 (Fri, Sat or Sun). Simply run or walk the distance on your own that weekend and log your miles under the activity name of the event for that weekend. All your miles count toward your overall goal.
Run/Walk Race Schedule:
- 10/10 Les Duke 5K
- 10/17 Evelyn Freeman 6K
- 10/24 Will Freeman 8K
- 10/31 Bea$t$ 6K
- 11/7 James Hall Bacchanal 8K
- 11/14 Darby Gymnasium Memorial Half Marathon (you can take Fri, Sat and Sun to complete)
- 11/21 Alice in Wonderland 6K
- 11/28 Purple Roo Turkey Trot 8K
- 12/5 Penrose Marathon (you can take Fri, Sat and Sun to complete)
- 12/12 Grinnell Relays 8K
- 12/19 10th Ave Freeze Out 10K
- 12/26 Goodbye 2020 5K
Fundraising: While the race is free, if you're able, a donation of any amount will help us get to our goal of raising $25,000. In addition, you can become a fundraiser and create and/or join a fundraising team.
Swag: We will provide you a beautifully designed downloadable race bib, finisher's certificate and race poster that you can print out. The artwork was designed by Grinnell College alumnus Toni Androski '16. The watercolor is inspired by visions of running in the cornfields of Poweshiek County. You will also have the option of purchasing a Sweatvac hi-tech dye sublimated moisture-wicking race short ($15) or long-sleeved shirt ($20) with Toni's beautiful watercolor. These shirts normally retail at $28 to $30. However, thanks to our partnership, you will be getting a great discount. Sweatvac is a small business based in Chicago, Illinois. You can learn more about their products at Sweatvac.com.
Our deep rooted connections to Exit 182 is what bonds us all together, share with friends and family, and let's do this and help families in need across central Iowa!
