Drew:

Any cause good enough to make me want to run a marathon should say a lot about how important an issue it is to me.  'Inspired, awed, driven, determined' all words I would use to describe how people feel after a conversation with Jon Imerman, the Original 'Imerman Angel', and our Cousin.  Imerman Angels is a one-on-one cancer support organization, and what Jon and the other angels (now over 1300 strong) do continues to amaze me.  

I am not claiming that I will beat Zack, or that I will set any records, but on October 11th, 2009 we will cross that finish line (hopefully together), 26.2 miles later for an amazing cause. We will run to support a charity that connects people fighting cancer or coping with loved ones with cancer to people who have been through that situation and have survived.  And  we will run to honor the memory of those who we've loved and lost already in our lifetimes.

UPDATE: (5/22/2009) - Just completed the Soldier Field 10 Miler and feel great, really excited to get started with the marathon training and can't wait to get better.  Big thanks to Cousin Jonny who ran the whole race with me, met a ton of great Imerman angels Supporters and some survivors as well.  Inspiration to all DONATE TODAY!!

(5/29/09) - Just got a spot in the sold out Rock and Roll Half Marathon running for the cause.  Should be a great test for the Marathon. 

(8/2/09)-  Thank you to the Imerman Angel Crew for an amazing Rock and Roll Half Marathon effort, finished 13.1 miles today in 2:25, not the best time but definitely not something to be upset about.   Running with Jonny and watching him spread the word will always inspire me!!!   please read on and help support a great Cause. 

Zack: 

Last October I drove into Chicago from Ann Arbor to meet Drew and participate in the events for the Chicago Marathon.  After sleeping late and eating a big breakfast we made our way down to the finish line to meet our cousin and friends who had just spent the last 4 hours running 26.2 miles in 80 degree heat. Needless to say, I never imagined we would ever be running a marathon.

That day we watched as 110 runners raised over $120,000 for our cousin's foundation, Imerman Angels.  We were both inspired, and cocky, and well-rested, and out of shape; but we promised that the day one of us decided to run a marathon, the other would be there to beat him. 

Our Goal: 

From Zack's statement above it is obvious that one of us had a momentary lapse in judgment and here we are, starting training for October 11th's Chicago Marathon.

We are both excited and motivated by the opportunity to participate in this event while representing such an amazing cause.  Please help us in our effort to raise $6,000 for Imerman Angels as we train (and run) the 2009 Chicago Marathon.  We would not be putting ourselves through the next few months of training and sacrifice if it were not for a cause we didn't believe in with all our hearts. On the other hand, this is probably the only marathon we will be running so please be generous with your donations.

The Foundation:

Imerman Angels is a not-for-profit organization founded by our cousin, Jon Imerman.  As kids, Jonny was an amazing role model to us, and today he continues to inspire us with his devotion to his cause and the energy with which he lives every day.  Jon Founded Imerman Angels after his battle with cancer and has devoted his life to making sure that anyone diagnosed with cancer has access to someone who has gone through similar experiences.  This October we will proudly be wearing Imerman Angels’ jerseys as we run.  Please read more about Imerman Angels on our fundraising page. 

Our Motivation:

We are running the marathon in honor and memory of three people who have forever touched our lives: our beloved “Nani,” Marilyn Burnett Ross; and two of our closest friends who we will always consider brothers, Ret Thomas and Reid VanGeldren.

Our Nani lost her battle against cancer just five years ago, and she remains in our hearts and thoughts every day.  An amazingly strong and smart woman,  she loved art and her dogs, taught herself chinese, sewed many of her own clothes and made the greatest chicken wings ever, but above all else she loved and cherished her family. 

Ret and Reid both valiently battled Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer.  Sadly, they were both taken from us too early.  They were great athletes and even better friends, life changing friends.  Their energy for life was contagious and not a day goes by that we don’t miss their jokes and their laughs.   

Nani, Ret and Reid were three amazing people who changed our lives forever.  We will always miss them, and will always remember them.  Our goal is to honor them, and to help change the lives of others stricken with any form of cancer.  Thank you for your consideration,

With Love, Be Well!!!

Drew and Zack