Charity Runners JUNE & JULY!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR CHARITY BIB RUNNERS!
Hello Community!
Let’s celebrate these amazing humans! Our charity runners, who have said yes, have helped promote Rising Hearts and have helped fundraise for the heart work we are grateful to keep doing.
We have a handful of runners who have helped fundraise for us! No matter large or small, that financial support has it’s place to be and support in the heart work we do!
Learn a bit more about our runners, their why and what’s to come!
- Rising Hearts
charity BIB RUNNERS 2025
Hi! I’m Lee, and I’m an Indigiqueer runner, partner, parent, writer, and social justice advocate. I began long distance running—out of spite—when my dad began training for his road races, and later ran Cross Country in high school to supplement my aspiring soccer career. At the age of 39, I signed up for my first—and longest—race yet, a marathon and I haven’t stopped signing up for races since. My participation in races began as a solo-healing journey and has since evolved into advocacy through community.
Race: Nike After Dark Tour 13.1 Half Marathon | June
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $800
FUNDS RAISED: $384
Follow LEE on IG: @theytriarchy_lee
Hello! My name is Kelsey. I have been married to my wonderful husband, Alex, for 15 years! WOW! Time has flown! We have 3 kiddos (10,8, and 5) who I get to see every day since I work at the local elementary school. In my spare time, I love to read, travel, run, and hangout with those I love most.
I believe running for a cause is a great way to make people aware of current issues and it allows people to get involved. Whether that is cheering you on for a race, donating funds, or simply following your journey. You can inspire so many people by being active and just putting yourself out there.
RACE: DAM to DSM Half Marathon
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $800
FUNDS RAISED: $204
Follow KELSEY on IG:@dailyvayk
Over the past several years, I have been on a journey of reconnection—reclaiming my Indigenous roots, healing from suppressed trauma, and discovering a deeper strength within myself. That path led me to Rising Hearts, whose work reflects the Same values of healing, resilience, and movement with purpose that now guide my own. Running has always been more than physical—it’s a way to honor those who came before me, to carry messages of hope and strength, and to be part of something greater than myself. Each mile becomes a prayer—for justice, for healing, for remembrance, and a future rooted in truth and community. Running for Rising Hearts isn’t just a race—it’s a commitment. A commitment to move with intention, uplift Indigenous voices, and be a vessel for change and collective action.
Race: Garden of the Gods 10-Miler – June
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1000
FUNDS RAISED: $552
Follow MARK on IG: @corunningbear
I’m running and fundraising for Rising Hearts, now through September 1st! Rising Hearts began as an idea to support and elevate Indigenous voices as they fought against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. I was grieving at a pivotal moment in my life when our relatives in Standing Rock were attacked by dogs. It lit a fire and knew that this was how I’d honor my lala’s legacy. To stand up. Fight back. Bring people together with my friends. Fast forward to becoming fiscally sponsored in 2020, we pivoted the heart work we do to be more intersectional, bring people together, to learn from each other and support each other through movement, mobilization, and advocacy after the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Here we are, Rising Hearts is more than an organization, it’s community, collaborating with community, to elevate what we are doing, and doing it through kinship, movement, and storytelling. Help us reach this goal of $5,000 so we can keep Rising Hearts going!
Race: Global Running Day - September 1st
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $5000
FUNDS RAISED: $226
Follow JORDAN on IG: @nativein_la
I am Whitney Carrier a mom, English Teacher, volleyball coach, and runner! While I have always enjoyed running as an adult I have found it’s the best way for me to find calm in a hectic world. I also have a passion for elevating BIPOC voices in my community as well as educating others about the needs of indigenous communities.
I decided to make this shift to charity running because I want to bring awareness to charities that serve important communities. This will also help me focus on those goals of uplifting communities while running and training for a purpose. While I enjoy running, this will push the limits of my abilities as an athlete.
Race: Seacoast Half Marathon
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $800
FUNDS RAISED: $0
Follow WHITNEY on IG: @mrs_carrier
Daryl ‘Stretch’ Murphy has been running a 5k a day everyday as a silent protest against oppression. I call the initiative Miles For Justice and raise money to help marginalized communities. He has run multiple marathons, half marathons and other races during this time. He is also a new father!
Daryl will be running the 2025 Boston Marathon with a handful of Rising Hearts runners this year! He has been a RH Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate since June 2021 and continues to inspire community and those around him. Funds raised support the Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate Collective.
Miles For Justice is a grassroots social justice initiative running a 5k a day to advance more equitable communities through education and athletics. Our ultimate goal is to bridge the opportunity gap and create a level playing field for all people regardless of race, economic status, or industry. We move closer to that goal by creating space and opportunity for marginalized groups through education and athletics. Our founder, Mr. Murphy runs 5km (3.1mi) every day (since 4/13/2020) as a form of resistance and silent protest against oppression while raising awareness on the inequalities that perpetuate the status quo. The 5k a day run streak is the driving force behind Miles For Justice and will continue until the economic disparities and opportunity gaps in American society subside.
You can learn more at: www.milesforjustice.org
Listen to Daryl’s story with The SPARC Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/79vMJmKwndZwDQNSMjozzq?si=6625aa40b1284b28
Race: 2025 Boston Marathon | April
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED: $867
Follow Daryl on IG: @stretchmurphy
My name is Alexis Saenz and I work for Rising Hearts and ReNew Earth Running. Two amazing Indigenous Non Profits. I am super passionate about the work I do. I am a professional dancer and pilates instructor. Although I am not a trained runner, Jordan (Founder of RH), has finally got me to try and shoot for my first run!
When I have run it’s typically been for my mental health but for this run it will go well beyond my mental health. I will run for those who can not, 2SLGBTQIA+ community, my family, friends, RH, RER, my community, the Earth, sacred elements, my ancestors, my future generations and anyone who may need the extra prayers.
These orgs have changed my life so please help me in supporting them!
Race: Rising Hearts Disability 5k | July
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $8000
FUNDS RAISED: $0
Follow LEX on IG: @lexxsaenz
I want to be a charity runner because I love what Rising Hearts does. Rising Hearts has been an organization that is focused around helping and uniting communities and I'm all for that!
In 2024, I ran the CIM with Rising Hearts and was so motivated to finish on behalf of RH. It was a tough one but getting it done for the people I ran for helped me get to the finish line. The support from RH was remarkable and I felt so blessed. The marathon and overall experience was amazing and glad to do it again.
RACE: American River 50 Mile and the Lake Sonoma
GOAL: $500
FUNDS RAISED SO FAR: $311
Follow August on IG: @ultra.josue
Run with purpose
Thanks to the 11 runners we have, turning their passion into purpose! Using running to fundraise for Rising Hearts! So far, we are close to $15,000 for 2024! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running! We hope to find 10 runners for 2025!
2025 RACES ARE OPEN!
OPTION ONE:
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
OPTION TWO:
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $500
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!