My Two Running Projects

This blog has two parts.  What I have been secretly planning is revealed in the second part.

Part I: Run Together for Netivot 5K

Netivot’s first ever 5K run was amazing, exciting, and unique.  

Here I am on raced day.  I worked through the bureaucracy of Netivot, learned many lessons along the way - all that needed to happen now was for runners to arrive. 

Fifteen minutes before the race was set to begin, I found myself standing at the registration table alone, thinking my roommates would be the only participants.  A group of ten OTZMA fellows suddenly walked around the corner.  They lived in the cities of Haifa, Rehovot, Ofakim, and of course Netivot.  I had no idea that so many were coming.  For many of them, it was their first 5K ever (see Rachel Frank’s blog at http://holylanding.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/surviving-purim-and-a-5k/)!

But that is only the start of the craziness.  Five minutes later a group of 12 teenagers training for the army signed up to participate.  Then, the head of Netivot security, Erez, arrived with three patrol cars.  Just as we were starting the pre-race briefing, Netivot's security bike patrol arrived.  Imagine a race with 22 participants, and 11 bike patrolmen! Needless to say, the runners received plenty of motivation from the officers riding beside them.  Over the radios, the security officers were placing bets on who would win the race – Leon my roommate or Elyssa from Haifa.  Leon sprinted past Elyssa at the finish line leaving many officers ashamed to say who they bet on.

Today, I used the sponsorship money to buy a boatload of soccer balls, basketballs, and board games for the kids whom I volunteer with.  The generosity of the business owners in Netivot never ceases to surprise me.

The OTZMA contingent with the hand-made finish line.

Can't have enough security officers on bikes.

The trophy-bouquets to the left and me working hard on the right.

Part II: The Strengthening Bonds Run

On March 12^th, I will leave Rosh HaNikra on a nine day 470 kilometer (300 mile) run to Eilat, the first run of its kind across Israel by an American.  The run will be called the Strengthening Bonds Run because its objectives are to:

(1) Strengthen the bonds between Israel and America

(2) Strengthen the bonds between children and their mentors

I am doing this run to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and Youth Futures - פותחים עתיד, both mentorship organizations that are very close to my heart.  I am also doing the run to raise awareness for the many American-Israeli sister city partnerships.  

Here are some details:

• I plan to run approximately 55 kilometers a day.
• After day 3, I will be joined by a support team of 4 other OTZMAniks to provide food, water, and company
• The main costs of the trip will be car rental and gas purchase
• I hope to raise at least $1,000 for each organization.
• I hope to be featured in the MASA section of Ynet, and also in many local Jewish community papers in the United States
• The website, www.RunIsrael.org, will help people stay updated on the run and serve as a fundraising tool.
• I will be visiting many Youth Futures chapters throughout Israel during the run

I need your help and support.

In order to reach my goal, I will need you to reach out to your friends, tell them about this project, and get them to the website.  Also, as an added bonus for people who donate more than $50, I will run with a message on my back for 10 kilometers and send a picture of me directly to their inbox!  Simply email the message to Hendel.Marc@gmail.com and I will take care of the rest.

Please remember, this project is just as much about raising awareness for the sister cities in Israel as it is about donations, so the more people that know, regardless of if they donate, the better. Don't be afraid to send this blog post to your friends.  The partnership of Netivot-Philedelphia has changed my life and the lives of many Israelis here.  More people should learn about the many partnerships.

By the way, I am not 100% sure that I can complete the run.  But I do know that the more of you that support me on my journey will motivate me when I have doubts.  Please visit www.RunIsrael.org, see the photo shoot for the run, and donate.

Thank you so much!