What We Can Learn From Team in Training

Just last month, more than 50,000 people completed the 43^rd edition of The New York City Marathon.   It’s a remarkable event, which I am happy to have finished twice, and it’s also the birthplace of the organization we know today as Team in Training.  Its story is quite amazing.  Back in 1988, Bruce Cleland gathered 38 people to participate in the New York City Marathon to honor his daughter who survived Leukemia. He and his fellow runners raised $322,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Since that time, more than 600,000 participants have helped LLS contribute $1.2 billion to blood cancer research.

Team in Training essentially assembles peers who are interested in achieving a personal goal of completing a marathon and who want to raise money (and awareness) for an important cause.  Over the years, the organization has expanded its events to include half marathons, triathlons, and bike rides, as well as shorter distance runs and obstacle races. The concept is simple: Bring people together who share a common goal and provide them with the resources and support to achieve something extraordinary. Together, they make the improbable, possible.

So whether you’re trying to run your first marathon or build a company, there’s nothing quite like the power of surrounding yourself with like-minded people who can not only help each another achieve their goals, but also truly make a difference in the lives of families, employees and communities here in the US and around the world.

Team in Training is a shining example (but just one example) of the power of our peers.  I found a terrific video on the site of its NYC chapter. Have a look and let the video inspire you!

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