2026 Charity Runners March & April
Hello Everyone!!
We hope you are well, in good spirits, and in community as much as you can be! That’s one of our favorite things about the heart work we do, is being able to connect with new runners, groups, efforts and friends. This program became possible because a handful of runners reached out to us, asking how can they support us or fundraise for the heart work we do. So, we created the Rising Hearts Charity Runner’s Program, aside from our partnership with The Wander Project (where you select a race from them, with set fundraising limits, then we receive the funds at the end of the year), and through some of our bib entries we receive at the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, California International Marathon and Every Woman’s Marathon. So don’t miss your chance to run with Rising Hearts! We help reimburse your registration fees if needed, get you fuel, a singlet, and shoes. And, we have no penalties for not reaching your goal. we’re just grateful you chose us and are supporting us in this way. Wopila tanka, many thanks!!
Special Milestones:
1.) We had TEAM RISING HEARTS at the Every Woman’s Marathon in Scottsdale, AZ - all 13 women crossed the finish line and raised $7,436 for Rising Hearts!
2.) Rising Hearts had 2 runners at the ‘25 New York City Marathon and raised $4,136.
3.) Rising Heart had 3 runners at The Marathon Project, December 21st in Chandler, AZ, where Hosava Kretzmann (Hopi/Diné) also qualified for the 2028 Marathon Olympic Trials! The 3 runners, including Nate Crail and Kylie Bemis, raised $3,840.
4.) Rising Hearts had 2 runners at the California International Marathon, where Blanca and Carlos raised $1,904, and we donated $700 to NorCal Resist on behalf of Blanca as well!
5.) And 24 runners who collectively raised $18,806 for Rising Hearts!
6.) So far, we have had 5 runners complete their fundraisers who have opted to use a link so that Rising Hearts is able to utilize the funds sooner rather than having access in December of 2026. Appreciate this!!
7.) See our run reflections from our runners - many who have completed their races / runs, preparing for more, and have shared their own special experiences, like Lisa Land who ran the Oracle 50k!
CURRENT CHARITY RUNNERS:
We are so excited for 2026 and can’t wait to support these runners! Let’s give it up for these humans! If you want to be part of this collective heart work through movement and community, we are calling for 10 more runners to fundraise for Rising Hearts! Now, we have 25 runners signed up, 3 Rising Hearts Teams at the SoCal Ragnar Relay, DC Rock n Roll Half Marathon and Boston Marathon, and 5 who have completed their fundraisers, with 10 starting their fundraisers later this summer and Fall!
Current Amount Raised: $8,831 of our $25,000 goal with over 125 donors.
- Rising Hearts
2026 Charity Bib Runners!
✨ It’s my birthday month 🎉 And this year, instead of gifts, I’m asking for something bigger. I’m turning 39… so I’m raising $390 — easy peasy 🫛 $10 for every year I’ve been alive. That’s only 39 people giving $10. Easy. Powerful. Collective. 💛
Every dollar will go to Rising Hearts, an Indigenous-led organization that has done so much for me and others! Now it’s my turn to give back. Help me give back, too. $10. That’s it. Let’s do this together. 🤍
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $390
Total Raised So Far: $213
Follow LACE on IG: @lacemarieruns
I want to give back to Rising Hearts. It’s the opportunity to give back to all we do, and who we support. We have an incredible team of friends, sisters, community, and runners. Rising Hearts is bringing more and more incredible humans to the start line, events, stories, and platforms, and that’s the world we want to invest in to keep our communities healthy, thriving, diverse and reflective of us, so that we see ourselves in these spaces. Let’s keep creating community and seeing the faces and hearing the voices we want to see and learn from! Help me reach my goal for Rising Hearts! I’m so excited to to run the 130th Boston Marathon with my fellow teammates, Mel Devoney, Ashleigh Thompson, and Caroline Sekaquaptewa. It’s going to be a great weekend with friends, sisters, and community. Getting to the start line is just the cherry on top of it all.
We have a big goal for Rising Hearts - raising $7,000 to support the heart work they do. And to anyone that donates $100, you will receive an incentive (new RH shirt and more), as well as those who donate $250 (new RH shirt, coffee mug, and more). So I'll be following up via email to those who donate at an incentive level to get you your goodies!
Wopila tanka, many thanks for the support in keeping the heart work going!
- Jordan Marie Whetstone (Rising Hearts, E.D., and Founder; Filmmaker; Athlete Advocate)
RACE: Boston Marathon (April)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $7,000
Total Raised So Far: $586
Follow JORDAN on IG: @nativein.la
Hi, my name is Susie and I've been a runner for most of my life so far. I'm fundraising for Rising Hearts because I want to support the work that the Indigenous-led organization is doing, upfront and behind the scenes, to make the running space more welcoming and inclusive. Rising Hearts elevates diverse voices, creates opportunities for athletes and brings people together, which makes such a positive difference in this world. When I'm not running you can find me coaching, teaching yoga, being a mum and a partner, and working on creative projects.
Favorite post run fuel / snacks: Fruit, waffles and coffee (sometimes with GU protein recovery mixed in)!
How’s training going? Pretty well! I'm looking forward to a few more long, hilly trail runs in the beautiful Sonoran Desert where I'm lucky enough to live.
RACE: KAI 70K (April)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $750
Total Raised So Far: $308
Follow SUSIE on IG: @longrunergy and @longruncollective
I appreciate how Rising Hearts uses running as a tool to build community and amplify Indigenous voices. Organizations like Rising Hearts illustrate that while running is an individual effort, ultimately, it's a team sport and opportunity for each of us, no matter our skill level, to uplift and connect with those around us.
RACE: Bentonville Half Marathon (April)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $300
Total Raised So Far: $250
Follow SANDI on IG: @stretchwithsandi
“I was part of the Every Woman’s Marathon team, and was able to experience the power of a group of women encouraging each other through miles. I want to share this with other runners and that is my main motivator to fundraise!” This will be Caroline’s 13th Consecutive year running the Boston Marathon!!!!!
RACE: Boston Marathon (April)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $7,000 (collectively as a team)
Total Raised So Far: $586
Follow CAROLINE on IG: @_sekaquaptewa_
“I’ve been a Rising Hearts supporter for a long time. I appreciate how the organization raises awareness and funding for important causes while building community.”
Ashleigh was part of the 2025 Every Woman’s Marathon team was just 1 minute off from getting the Boston Marathon qualifying time, and with that, it was an automatic “yes” to having Ashleigh join Rising Hearts in Boston this year.
RACE: Boston Marathon (April)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $7,000 (collectively as a team)
Total Raised So Far: $586
Follow ASHLEIGH on IG: @ashanishinaabe
MEL DEVONEY
One of the best decisions I made in 2025 was joining the Rising Hearts team and embarking on my ultramarathon career. I feel unbelievably lucky to continue running for a greater purpose with Rising Hearts in 2026. Every donation - even a symbolic $1 donation - empowers me to do that. Mil gracias amigos <3
CONGRATS TO MEL FOR REACHING HER GOAL AND COMPLETING THE Avalon 50k!
Mel is bringing together 12 women from Good Days Run Club / Mohawk Wellness Collective for the SoCal Ragnar (click and donate) on April 10th with a $2,000 goal as well (more to come in February)!
Mel is also coming back for the Boston Marathon with Rising Hearts in April with Ashleigh Thompson, Hosava Kretzmann, Caroline Sekaquaptewa, and Jordan Whetstone ($7,000 goal for that race)!
RACE: Boston Marathon (April)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $7,000 (collectively as a team)
Total Raised So Far: $586
Follow MEL on IG: @MELDEVONEY
I live in Southeast Oklahoma on the Choctaw Nation reservation and the Choctaw Nation offers the P.A.CE. program to associates who work for CNO and all tribal citizens. This program has helped me connect with local runners and races, so I can share the Rising Hearts mission with them. My goal for 2026 is to be healthy enough to complete the Dinosaur Valley 100 miler in November. I struggle with nutrition, especially during stressful times. It would be a big accomplishment to properly care for my body during this training cycle. I’ve been an athlete advocate since 2021 and it has changed my life. Knowing the impact Rising Hearts has had on my life, I want fundraise for them so that others get to experience it as well.
RACE: Midsouth Double (March)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1200
Total Raised So Far: $277
Follow KELSEY on IG: @longcommakelsey
This year I'm raising funds for this amazing organization that stands for many of the same things I whole heartedly believe in. I love the intersectionality between running and advocating. It's a beautiful thing to move our bodies with purpose. In hopes that we're creating a better world for everyone.
RACE: Wanderlust 13.1, 10k, 5k; (March)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $1,000
Total Raised So Far: $521
Follow SARA on IG: @sara_zzzz
Movement has been a huge part of my healing, physically, mentally, and emotionally and Rising Hearts creates space for Indigenous communities to experience that same connection through movement and culture. I respect that the RH work goes beyond sport and directly supports community-led initiatives, representation, and access. I don’t have children of my own, so part of the legacy I hope to leave behind is helping create and protect spaces like this, spaces where Indigenous people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Fundraising for Rising Hearts allows me to run with purpose, honor our peoples resilience, and help uplift Indigenous voices while supporting the next generation of Indigenous runners and leaders.
RACE: Crown King 50K (March)
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $2,000
Total Raised So Far: $504
Follow LISA on IG: @runningnative
I’ve worked for Rising Hearts for 5 years and every year I've watched our runners reach their goals in running and their races. It's been so inspiring to witness! After watching all our runners cross the finish line at the Every Women's Marathon last year, I decided that 2026 was my year to commit, give it my all and run my first marathon. First, I have a few practice races to work my way up to the full marathon. I'm so excited for this opportunity and what this experience will do for my mental health and my life. Running is in my blood and a part of my culture. I'm excited to reconnect with running in this way and raise funds for an organization that I work for and believe in so much!
RACE: Mental Health 10k, Nike After Dark Half Marathon, Harvest Moon Half Marathon, Every Women’s Marathon
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $2,000
Total Raised So Far: $509
Follow LEX on IG: @lexxsaenz
Team Rising Hearts at Ragnar Relay
What led to this team for Ragnar Relay?
The shared values of Good Day Run Club and Mohawk Wellness Collective are to foster a truly welcoming, accepting and uplifting community for athletes of all levels. When we signed up for the Ragnar relay, our goals were to 1) have the best girl's trip ever, and 2) demonstrate what our club stands for.
Why fundraise for Rising Hearts?
It was a no-brainer to partner with Rising Hearts, since it aligns with our values around physical, mental and social wellness. We are a diverse group of ladies that elevate and empower each other, and we want to do the same for the broader Rising Hearts community.
How excited are you about this opportunity?
So stoked! This is the first Ragnar relay for many of us, and our first race as a team. We can't wait to see how powerful we are together!
Running mantra?
"On good days and bad days, every day is a good day to run with your girls!"
Let’s cheer this team at the SoCal Ragnar Relay!
Race: SoCal Ragnar Relay | April
Fundraising goal: $2,000
Funds Raised: $775
DONATE TO TEAM RISING HEARTS AT RAGNAR!
RUN REFLECTIONS
Lisa Land | Rising Hearts Charity Runner
January 31, 2026, marked my first race of the year at the AZT Oracle Half Marathon, where I chose the half marathon distance among options like a 50-mile, 50K, 12K, and 5K trail events. The race, based at the historic C.O.D. Ranch is renowned for its rugged singletrack trails, with the half marathon known for being challenging and technical terrain.
Driving into Oracle, Arizona, I was immediately captivated by the stunning views of rolling mountains. It is a quaint and quiet region of Arizona. I personally love this vibe.
The race course did not disappoint, featuring rolling climbs on well-maintained singletrack, with plenty of tough ascents to keep my legs and lungs working hard. The race started strong, launching right into the first two miles, which included a significant ascent through a lovely boulder garden, rewarding runners with breathtaking vistas. As we progressed, there were several tough sections, including a wash on the back half of the course that required some mental focus as my legs began to feel fatigue from the initial climbs.
The weather on race day was perfect—cool with a gentle breeze—creating an ideal atmosphere for a challenging run. The volunteers at the halfway point aid station played a crucial role, providing just what we needed to recharge for the remainder of the race. I found myself longing for that aid station; the demanding trails leading up to it made it all the more necessary. As I pushed through, the cheers from volunteers fueled my motivation.
Approaching the finish line was exhilarating; I was so caught up in the descent that I didn't even realize I was nearing the end. I even asked a fellow runner, “Is this the finish?” When I crossed the line, the redemptive feeling of conquering the course hit me, amplified by the delightful assortment of snacks and goodies that awaited. One of the most memorable aspects of the race was the unique medal I earned. Crafted from wood, it features a manual cog that spins a windmill—such a creative design that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the event.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at the AZT Oracle Half Marathon. It was a blend of fun and challenge, with plenty of parking at the start and not an overwhelmingly crowded vibe. It stood out as the perfect small-town race, offering the luxuries of a larger event. I also appreciated the thoughtful discount for Indigenous Americans, making the event even more inclusive. This race undoubtedly set a positive tone for my racing year, and I can't wait to participate again!
Alexis Saenz | Rising Hearts Charity Runner and RH Programs Coordinator
As some folks know, I started training for my first marathon in December. I plan to run 3 races before getting to the marathon. In February, we found out it moved from November 2026 to February 2027. I just about cried! I’m not a runner by any means, I dance and do pilates and running is a whole other beast. However, I decided to take this on because I wanted to commit to something and I thought it would be good for me. Boy, has it been HARD! I went from not running at all or past 1.5 miles to now running a 10k!
I can’t believe I made it to a 10k! My race was March 7th. I can’t believe that I ran 6.2 miles the weekend prior as well! I ended up missing the sign up for the in person race here in Santa Monica but there was a sign up for virtual. I signed up virtually for the Running on Native Lands Virtual Run with Rising Hearts instead, so I knew where the money was going, rather than to a race. It is no coincidence that my first run is with Rising Hearts! It worked out the way it was supposed to.
This journey has already been crazy to me. I don’t think I was actually prepared for the emotional aspect of everything. I knew the physicality of it all was going to be difficult but the mental part has been wild. I’m so proud of myself. I don’t know how I’ll make it 20 more miles for the Every Women’s Marathon, but just as I’m shocked about making it 4 months of training and 6.2 miles later. My run was good even though the day before I was a really bad day. I made sure that nothing would get in the way of me running the next day. I put down cedar in my shoes with prayer and ran. I honestly zoned out on the run and I didn’t feel what I thought I would after, but I think this journey is not linear. It’s been difficult and hard but I am reminded that I am stronger. My next race is a half marathon in June. Then another half marathon in Sept/Oct.
I’m so proud of myself and I can’t wait to keep passing these milestones even though it’s been difficult! We are building longevity mental capacity and stability, and THAT I am proud and excited for!
Mark Moya | Rising Hearts Charity Runner
As a Rising Hearts Runner, I’ve come to see movement as more than miles or finishing times—it’s about community, connection, and showing up for something bigger than ourselves.
While it’s only my second time running the El Paso County Search and Rescue Run, the event has already become an annual tradition for me. It’s a race where the local community shows up not just to run, but to support a group that is truly second to none.
As a member of the Pikes Peak Road Runners, it’s always great seeing familiar faces from across the Colorado Springs running community—some volunteering and others racing. Events like this show how powerful running can be when it brings people together with a shared purpose.
Supporting the volunteers of El Paso County Search and Rescue—who respond when hikers, climbers, and adventurers need help in our mountains and open spaces—makes every step of the course meaningful.
I had just completed the Duke City Marathon in Albuquerque that October, where I ran my personal best. After recovering, I was eager to line up for a 10K again with some of the familiar faces that make up the Colorado Springs running community. From Boston Marathon qualifiers and Olympic Trials athletes to the runners I share miles with along the paths and streets of our city, the field reflects the strength and spirit of this running community.
Trail running and hills aren’t usually what I’m about, but for this race—and for this cause—I’m good to go. Starting the year running beneath Pikes Peak, known to the Ute people as Tava (Sun Mountain), is a powerful reminder of the deep history of the land we move across and the responsibility we share to respect it.
This year the race was even more special because my SrA son-in-law, visiting for the holidays, joined me on the start line—and ended up placing in his age group. Moments like that remind me how running can connect generations, families, and communities.
I ran smart, pushed hard, finished strong—and PRed again. It was a beautiful winter day in Colorado Springs to be still here, thriving, and running with purpose in the community.
Mel Devoney | Rising Hearts Charity Runner + Athlete
When I got to the start line, I felt like all my running, mental preparation and motivation lined up perfectly for the Avalon 50k.
I finished 2nd place female, 1st in my age group, and 7th overall.
With strong winds, unrelenting climbs, perfect temps, and buffalo sightings, Pimu Island (Catalina) made for a brutal yet beautiful course. I set out vying for a podium finish and to stay happy, confident and intentional the entire race. I refused to let my brain limit my body, and I focused on my intention: for each step to summon strength and belief for my family, friends and strangers who need it in these depressing times.
This race was truly a group effort with the support of my training buddies, Mohawk Wellness Collective, and of course the Rising Hearts fam!
Photo Credit @scsphotoworks
Run with purpose
In 2025, we had 37 runners dedicating their run / race to Rising Hearts! We met our goal of $36,000! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running!
Now, we have 26 runners for 2026 and hoping to find 9 more runners!
OPTION ONE: THE WANDER PROJECT
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/).
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!
OPTION TWO: RUN FOR RISING HEARTS!
Dedicate any race you have signed up for to Rising Hearts. If you want to register for one, we can reimburse your fee, if needed (pending fee and may need to be added to fundraising amount)! Donation page is through GiveLively where you can create you own account to fundraise. Through this new option, we had 37 runners dedicating their run / race to Rising Hearts for 2025, with $36,181 raised, meeting our goal! And rounding out 2024, we had 5 California International Marathon runners as well! There are no penalties for not reaching your goal!
Suggested minimum fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $600
Non RH Athletes / New Allies/Friends = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you! We are excited to learn from you and support you. We are here to amplify your efforts through our platforms and help you reach your goal.
Email us at info@rising-hearts.org if you’re interested in dedicating a run and raising funds for Rising Hearts.