Raising money for a cause has never been easier! This year, we’re partnering with Wander Project to give you a fun way to support our heart work. Run, walk or jog in the 2025 / 2026 EVENT as a charity bib athlete, and a percentage of the funds you raise will come back to Rising Hearts. Wander Project’s goal is to help you inspire and engage your community by providing support and resources along your fundraising journey.

A charity bib is a free entry into one of the events listed via The Wander Project in exchange for helping raise awareness and funds for our organization.

Once you register for a charity bib, you will be automatically prompted to set up a fundraising page through Wander Project’s peer-to-peer fundraising platform. From here, Wander Project will give you the tools and resources needed to engage your friends and family in your fundraising efforts to support Rising Hearts. This means you’ll have support from Wander Project every step of your fundraising process!

The Rising Hearts and The Wander Project partnership began due to our program, Running On Native Lands Initiative, in hopes of bringing more Indigenous runners to the race / event spaces and normalizing and implementing land blessings and land acknowledgements at their events, to include local Indigenous communities and voices for a long-term, meaningful and collaborative commitment. And now has expanded beyond just this program, but to all our athletes and community who supports the heart work we do. We are in our 3rd year of supporting Charity Bib runners.

2025 / 2026 races are open for charity running as well! Reach out to us and we will connect you with Zander of The Wander Project!

WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE ARE CONNECTED WITH TWP / DIFFERENT RACE THEY HAVE?
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/)

*My grandpa was a Wheaton College track star and a distance runner, I grew up with my aunts and uncles and my dad doing marathons and I remember helping them get ready early in the morning and cheering them on.  My dad had a period where he was trying so hard to qualify for boston but missed the qualifying time by meer seconds and he then decided to conclude his running career.  I joined cross country in fifth grade and ran through middle school.  Since then, I ran here and there but I did a 5K when I was maybe 28/29 and just kept going and going.

*Im doing a charity bib for Cocodona250 2026.  I crewed twice and the last time, I knew I really wanted to do it.  Im sure that I could have gotten an entry through Native Women Run but I really wanted to make sure that I work for it to prove to myself that I really want it.  

*I chose Rising Hearts because the org stands for everything that I believe in.  I believe that running is a part of my indigenous identity and I love that the organization prioritizes kinship.  I feel like we as a native people have a lot of hurdles to overcome because of colonization and I believe that a lot of pain can start to be alleviated through running and bonus for having a supportive community as well.

*I'm really hoping that NWR will choose me to run the Javalina Jundred, but if that doesnt happen then my next race will be the Albuquerque Marathon.  I have yet to figure out my race plan because money is a huge challenge.  

*My favorite shoe is the Altra Lone Peak but I'm going to try the Mount to Coast at my next opportunity.

*My favorite fuel so far has been twinkies, nerd gummy clusters, soda, gu roctane, skratch hi carb combined with either tailwind or skratch hydration.  

*my favorite running song always changes, but the one that has consistently gotten me to amp up is Golden Earring Radar Love

*my favorite post run snack/drink is a giant mountain of buffalo wild wings lemon pepper with tons of celery and carrots and ranch!  I love a super carbonated soda to go with it as well.

Race: 2026 Cocodona 250 | May
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $6,000
FUNDS RAISED:$803

Race: Javelina Jundred 2024
Fundraising Goal: $5,000
Funds Raised: $2,140

In October, I'm going to run 100 miles in the desert at the Javelina Jundred. I want to make this challenging endeavor mean more that just a run, so I plan on to raising $5000 to support Rising Hearts. I recognize that I live and run on Indigenous Lands, and Rising Hearts is an Indigenous led organization with a focus on movement and the outdoors. I can't think of a better partner in this mission. A donation of any amount will help me cross the finish line, so please help me get there!

About Jesse:
My name is Jesse. I live and run in the lands of the Lenni Lenape, also known as Philadelphia. I appreciate the joy and discipline that running gives me, but I want to be able to use it for something more than that. I have helped start running groups to bring people together, I have helped organize running protests, I have posted endlessly on social media running fueled rants about all the things I care about. But I have never properly used running to raise money. Until now. 

Visit link to learn more about Jesse’s reason and why!

Race: Four Corners Quad Keyah
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds Raised: $1,000

MEET CANDACE:

By registering for a Charity Bib for this event, I've agreed to raise money to support Rising Hearts! I am inspired by this cause because as a Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate for Rising Hearts I've grown as a runner and as a human and use my miles to make a difference thanks to Rising Hearts.

Candace also ran for RH in 2023 at the Saguaro Half Marathon too!

Rising Hearts is important to me as a non-profit because it is an Indigenous led grassroots organization committed to the heart work of elevating Indigenous voices, and promoting and supporting intersectional collaborative efforts across all forms in movement collective community with the goals of racial, social, climate and economic justice through movement.

Race: Cocodona 250
Fundraising Goal: $5,000
Funds Raised: $5,358.59

CONGRATS, SUSIE! She participated in the Cocodona 250 and SURPASSED her fundraising goal of $5,000 for Rising Hearts! We appreciate you, Susie!

Susie is one of our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates!

From Susie:
I run to explore, give thanks, and learn about the people who have called the lands where I run home for time immemorial. I'm excited to be running the Cocodona 250 as a charity bib athlete for Rising Hearts as a way to give back and support an organization doing great things within the running community by raising the profile of Indigenous runners.

Thank you to everyone who donated to support Susie’s run and our organization.

Race: Antelope Canyon Ultras
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds Raised: $1,100

CONGRATS, LAUREL! She participated in the Antelope Canyon Ultras and met her fundraising goal of $1,000 for Rising Hearts - actually, surpassed it! Laurel raised $1,100 for Rising Hearts, with 23 donors supporting this effort! We appreciate you, Laurel and to everyone who donated to support your run and our organization.

Why did you choose Rising Hearts to support?

I really love Rising Hearts' commitment to "Go the extra mile in supporting Native communities beyond a land acknowledgement - to expand that support and advocacy in creating a running community and outdoor environment to be more supportive and inclusive for Black, Indigenous, Brown, Asian, Muslim, Jewish, Two Spirit, LGBTQ+, Non-binary runners and walkers, and People with disabilities, adaptive athletes, in these spaces."

Race: Javelina Jundred
Fundraising Goal: $2,000
Funds Raised: $2,000

What does running with purpose mean to you?
Running with purpose means to challenge myself. Challenges force you to tap into your creativity with ways to overcome them. As you go through challenges, you become stronger. Challenges are an excellent opportunity for growth. They test your commitment to your goals & when you overcome them you develop emotional & mental strength. Awołíbee Ánít’i Yéego Ánít’i - Try Hard and Keep At It! (in Navajo Language)”

RUNNING WITH PURPOSE! Challenges force you to tap into your creativity with ways to overcome them. As you go through challenges, you become stronger. Challenges are an excellent opportunity for growth. They test your commitment to your goals & when you overcome them you develop emotional & mental strength. In the Navajo Language we say Awołíbee Ánít’i Yéego Ánít’i - Try Hard and Keep At It!

I am passionate about this campaign because it contributes to a greater cause, one that is deeply meaningful to me. I am a Diné Ultra Runner from Tsaile, AZ, Navajo Nation and a runner with the ReNew Earth Running team for the past 3 years. My Rising Hearts charity bib fundraiser is now live (link in BIO)! I have until October 12, 2024 to reach my goal. A donation of any size will help get me there, can I count on your support?

Race: Grand Teton & Yellowstone Half Marathons & 5Ks
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds Raised: $1,000

THANK YOU, DANI! For supporting us and the heart work we do.

My name is Dani Menter + I live in Montana. I am currently a student pursuing a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. I truly believe that the way we spend our time to create meaning in our lives forms our identity that leads to the best quality of life. I also believe that every life deserves to pursue health and happiness in this way. I am choosing to run for Rising Hearts because I believe their work is supporting the freedoms for all Peoples that haven’t always been possible due to the tribulations of our past. I find my freedom through moving in the mountains and I am excited to be able to do it with a purpose in hopes to support a worthy cause that advocates for other people to feel the same freedoms.

Race: Glacier Half Marathon
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds Raised: $1,020

THANK YOU, MARTA! Your support means the world to Rising Hearts and to those we support.

To me, running with purpose means using my daily runs and training as an opportunity to learn and share something that I am passionate about with my community. I chose to support Rising Hearts because as a nurse in northwest Montana, I have seen firsthand how colonization has impacted Indigenous communities. I believe that the historical oppression of native people and the generational trauma that continues to affect them have created social and healthcare disparities that demand our immediate attention today. I think Rising Hearts is the perfect platform to help channel my cause and concern.

Race: Orca Half Marathon
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds raised: $1000

MEET JENNIFER:
My name is Jennifer Brayboy-Locklear. I am an Indigenous person from North Carolina. I'm a mother (and grandmother) runner with a family history of heart disease and diabetes that I work everyday to prevent by running and eating healthy. This is a challenge but totally worth it.

I love to run because it is an activity that is inclusive of all people. If someone wants to run, they can...no matter the pace. I don't compare myself to anyone else. I only work on trying to get better everyday.

I chose to be a runner for Rising Hearts because of the focus on "connecting with community through movement and self-care". I also love the focus on all forms of movement in cultivating community with the goals of racial, social, climate and economic justice.

Race: Orca Half Marathon
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds raised: $1,310

MEET KATEY:
About Katey: Katey Peck (she/her) is a space holder, writer, and dreamer. A white settler raised on the southern banks of the Patawomeck (Potomac) River in Northern Virginia, she is grateful to also call Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu and dxʷdəwʔabš lands (Seattle) home. Katey has been in an on-again off-again relationship with running for over 15 years. She’s raced everything from the 4x400 relay to the marathon, but her sweet spot is longer runs at slower paces, lip syncing and smiling at every person and dog she passes. She sees running as a practice to (re)connect to herself, people, and 'āina (land, that which feeds).
Katey is excited + humbled to be running the Orca Half on 9/15 to raise funds for Rising Hearts. “I believe strongly in the power of land to bring people together and in running as a platform for change. I am grateful for Indigenous-led organizations like Rising Hearts that are committed to imagining and building healed futures for our grandchildren’s grandchildren. I have learned so much from Rising Heart’s thoughtful advocacy + I’m excited to see this sport evolve to support #LANDBACK + other movements for justice.”

Race: Orca Half Marathon
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
Funds raised: $1,056

MEET SABRINA:
I'm Sabrina, a passionate runner from the Makah Nation on a mission beyond the finish line. With each stride, I embody purpose, not just in my pace but in my cause. Whether pounding the pavement or scrambling up trails, I run to raise awareness and support for environmental and social justice. Fueled by determination and compassion, every race is an opportunity to bring attention to the issues that matter to me most.

As a devoted mother and activist, I chose support Rising Hearts because it aligns with my values and aspirations for a better world. Their grass-roots mission resonates with my Indigenous maternal instincts, as it directly addresses pressing issues that affect the well-being and future of not only my own children but countless others. By supporting this cause, I am actively working to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. I believe in the power of collective action and advocacy to drive positive change, and Rising Hearts provides a tangible avenue for me to contribute to meaningful progress in areas that are close to my heart. Whether it's advocating for MMIW/MMIR, environmental conservation and the LandBack movement, or social justice, running for Rising Hearts allows me to channel my passion and energy into making a lasting difference in the world, leaving a legacy of compassion, empathy, and positive change for my children and the next seven generations.