It was another good showing for ‘Team Tripp’ at the Crescent City Classic. And it’s not too late to donate!
Visit RunningForTripp.com to help make a difference in the fight against EB.
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In the News: Half Marathon ‘Run for Tripp’
Extremely generous donors — at least 700 of them — have helped raise nearly $45,000 (so far) for EB research in memory of Tripp Roth, the two-year-old from Ponchatoula who died in January after a brave battle with the rare skin disease.
Last week, the Times-Picayune threw out another assist by featuring me on the cover of its “Fit” newspaper insert. My sincere thanks to Features Editor Mark Lorando and TV writer Dave Walker. Here’s an excerpt from the accompanying article:
“We’ve done some stories at WDSU about his battle (with epidermolysis bullosa). I have a 2-year-old who was just a few months younger than Tripp when Tripp passed away, so the story hit really close to home for me. My previous long road race was the Crescent City Classic, which is 6.2 miles. I said, let me try the (Rock’n’ Roll New Orleans) half-marathon … let me use my outlet as a news anchor to raise some money for awareness for EB and in memory of Tripp.”
Click through for the rest of the article, including a “fitness role model” reference. Ha.
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Thanks to Half Marathon Donors
I’ve already written about the remarkable community response to my half marathon run in memory of Tripp Roth, but I wanted to specifically mention a couple of things.
First, nearly 600 people have donated almost $45,000. We’re going to keep raising money on the same page through the Crescent City Classic on April 7th. ‘Team Tripp’ will rock the streets of New Orleans once again.
Second, some area businesses were a big part of the fundraising effort. Massage Envy Spa led the way with a $2,500 donation. Owner Brian Grenrood contacted me early on and wanted to be part of this. He helped get the ball rolling.
Also assisting in a big way were WDSU-TV, The Lemoine Company, Brenan Compretta’s Allstate Insurance, Faux Pas Prints and Simply Fit – Old Metairie.
The largest single contribution came anonymously — $10,000 — two days before the half marathon.
Thanks to everyone who donated. You’re helping make a difference.
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In the News: Half Marathon Coverage
Thanks to Dave Walker at the T-P for continuing to spread the word about my half marathon run for Tripp Roth. The following appeared Monday on NOLA.com:
Appropriately enough, WDSU anchor Scott Walker reported his finishing time in Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon via Twitter at 12:40 p.m.:
Finished my first half marathon in 2:12. A great payoff after 10 weeks of training/fundraising. #TeamTripp was well represented. A great day.
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Tagged eb, in the news, rock n roll half marathon, tripp roth, wdsu
Half Marathon Recap: Fulfilling, Humbling
Sunday was one of those rare days during which you realize you’re part of something special, something much bigger than you. On this day, less than two months after his death, Tripp Roth spoke loudly and many of the more than 22,000 runners in the Rock n Roll New Orleans Marathon & Half Marathon took notice.
Tripp died after battling a rare skin disease since birth. 67 days ago, I set out to raise money to increase EB awareness, help families with children who suffer from EB and fund research. My initial goal was $5,000 and we reached that within days. Today the fundraising total sits at $42,176 and counting. More than 500 people have contributed, including an anonymous $10,000 donation.
The day was perfect for running. Low humidity, comfortable temps, a slight breeze and spectacular sunshine. Bright red “Team Tripp” shirts dotted the race course and people yelled their support from the sidewalks. As inspirational as Tripp was during his 2 year, 8 month fight against EB, today’s experience built on that foundation.
“Go Team Tripp,” they would say. Or “Team Tripp in the house!” It was moving.
Amazingly, I felt the best I ever have running during that 13.1 miles. My last mile was my fastest. Call it adrenaline, good luck, nervous energy or whatever. But I think Tripp was with us all on Sunday.
After the race, my family and I got together with Tripp’s family — his mom, grandmother, grandfather and others — everyone in their “Team Tripp” shirts. There was even a tent bearing his name. The culmination of the past 67 days happened right there after the race. Everyone shared in the moment, talked about a brave little boy gone far too soon and the money he helped raise.
$42,000. And there will be more.
I’ll never forget Sunday, March 4, 2012. I’m a better person coming out the other side of this. I’ve learned a lot. I am eternally thankful to Tripp’s family for allowing me shine a big, bright light on their precious angel and the terrible disease he fought so bravely.
Since the day Tripp was born he knew nothing but pain. But that didn’t get in the way on Sunday. Tripp brought joy, some tears and a feeling of triumph — a sucker punch to EB and a step closer to a cure.
To everyone who donated: I can never thank you enough. You’ve helped make a difference.
Rock n Roll Half Marathon: Race Day!
Ten weeks of training later, race day is finally here! I can’t begin to explain how much nervous energy I’m ready to burn off and how excited I am about this run.
Once the race gets started, I’ll have plenty of time to reflect on the hundreds of people who donated to this fundraising effort during the past 67 days. What a remarkable outpouring of support. As I type this post, the total money raised is nearly $42,000 (including a $10,000 anonymous donation on Friday). The online donation page will stay open for a few more weeks, so there is still plenty of time to donate.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has donated.
Remember, I started this fundraiser with a goal of $5,000. It didn’t take long for it to take on a life of its own.
I look forward to seeing all the red Team Tripp shirts on the route bright and early this morning!
Half Marathon: Fundraising Update
I’m writing this on the run, but wanted to quickly give an update.
The total raised for my half marathon run in memory of Tripp Roth is now more than $25,000. I also just got a commitment for another $1,000 that I’ll add to the total later today.
As far as training goes, I’m ready. A couple of short runs this week, then race day on Sunday. Can’t wait!
To donate, visit RunningForTripp.com.
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Half Marathon: Training, Fundraising Update
We’re now 21 days from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and a very supportive Twitter/Facebook/website crowd has helped me raise $20,504. Since the goal was $20,000 and we shattered that, the focus will now be on $30,000.
Please continue to spread the word and help me raise EB awareness. I’m running in honor of Tripp Roth, the baby from Ponchatoula who recently lost his battle with EB. If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment to read his heart-wrenching story on his mom’s blog.
My training continues to go well. I ran 12 miles on Saturday, my longest run to date. For the week I ran 25.37 miles and averaged 10:08 minutes per mile. I’ve run 113.7 miles year-to-date.
CLICK HERE to donate.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the Public Service Announcement that’s been running for a few weeks on WDSU.
Half Marathon: Training & Fundraising Update
The Rock n Roll Half Marathon is 26 days away and we’re knocking on the door of hitting our fundraising goal of $20,000. I know I’ve said this before, but the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. I can’t thank all the donors enough.
Here’s a breakdown of donations (as of 2/8 at 12:45 a.m.):
- Online: $14,709
- Checks/Cash: $860
- Massage Envy: $2,500
- The Lemoine Company: $500
- Allstate Insurance: $500
TOTAL: $19,069…or $931 from the goal.
Let’s get to $20,000 and beyond. Visit RunningForTripp.com to donate securely online. Donations can also be mailed. Checks should be made payable to “Debra of America.” I have the organization’s tax ID number for anyone who may need it.
Mail to:
WDSU TV
“Team Tripp”
c/o Scott Walker
846 Howard Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70113
Now to the training. Things are going well and I continue to run relatively pain-free. My weekend “long runs” the past three weeks have been 8, 10 and 11 miles. This Saturday I’ll top out at 12 before tapering off in the final few weeks before the race. I’ll run 6 miles on Wednesday, 4 miles on Thursday then take Friday off before the big run on Saturday. I’m up to 92 miles year-to-date.
A special thanks to Massage Envy (Brian Grenrood), Simply Fit (Hudson Ellis) and my chiropractor (Dr. Dave Edwards) for helping me keep my body functional for the past 6+ weeks of training.
If you haven’t seen it already, take a look at the Team Tripp PSA that has already been viewed nearly 3,000 times. Look for it on WDSU.
Half Marathon: Fundraising Update, PSA & More
Fundraising: So here we are 45 days away from the half marathon and a ton of generous donors have helped me SHATTER the original goal of $5,000. As I type this post, the total raised is just shy of $8,000!
Did I mention we have 45 days left?
I’ve already upped the goal twice…first to $10,000 and now $20,000. Do I think we can hit that? Absolutely. That and more.
The response from people I know and those I’ve never met has been overwhelming. So many people have been touched by Tripp and Courtney’s story and want to do something. To join the Team Tripp project and/or donate, CLICK HERE. “Joining the team” means helping raise money. Once someone joins, all the money raised goes into the same fundraising pot.
PSA: We’ve secured the domain name RunningForTripp.com. It’s easier to remember and redirects to the fundraising page. It’s the web address we use in the PSA that is now airing on WDSU.
Training: I’ve run 15.07 miles so far this week with a long run of 8 miles ahead of me this weekend. Year-to-date I’ve run 37.82 miles. Since October 29th, the day I started focusing on the half marathon, my total is 136.57 miles. My average time is 9:57 per mile.
Excellent work by my chiropractor (Dr. Dave Edwards at Source Chiropractic in Metairie) has gotten me back to running pain-free. He fixed up the strained tendon in my lower left leg that had bothered me for a couple of weeks. He’s like Mr. Miyagi.
The journey continues. I hope you’ll join me!
Tripp Roth: The Fight Continues
Tripp Roth of Ponchatoula fought a brave fight for two years and eight months. He lost his battle with EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) on Saturday, but the fight for research and a cure continues.
I’m running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Tripp’s honor, to heighten EB awareness and to raise money for DebRA of America – the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association. DebRA will also donate a portion of the money raised to Tripp’s mom, Courtney.
The race is 50 days away (March 4) and that’s a ton of time to raise more money! With the help of many generous donors, I’ve already raised $2,215 in 13 days. 13 days! When the total reaches $2,500, Massage Envy will match that amount to put us at the goal of $5,000. You know what happens then? I’ll raise the goal to $10,000 and we’ll keep going.
Here’s my plea to businesses: Step up and help out! This is a chance to make a difference by shining a bright light on a terrible disease that most people have never heard of. Do a match — $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 — anything. I’ll put your logo on the back of the “Team Tripp” shirts that’ll be made for race day, one of which I’ll wear in the race. And you’ll already have a nice tax-deductible donation on the books for 2012.
Please visit my fundraising page HERE and read about EB and Tripp’s story. What he has been through in less than three years will make your heart hurt.
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Half Marathon: Training Update
We’re now 57 days from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.
I ran 5.5 miles Sunday for my “long” run of the week. I’m battling through some major soreness in my lower left leg right now, but it should be fine in a few days. Hopefully.
The fundraising total has reached $1,680 in just one week! Thanks to the many donors for their tremendous generosity. The goal is $5,000 and we’re 34 percent there!
My running stats:
- 5.50 miles today
- 15.5 miles this week
- 17.71 miles YTD
- 114.48 miles since October 29th
- 9.57 per mile average
CLICK HERE to see why I’m running and please donate if you can. It’s simple, fast and totally secure.
