Day Five – The Finish Line.

He did it!!!

Rob finished the final stage of 100 Miles for 100 MENtors at Lake Calhoun today, looking as strong as ever. After running several laps around the lake, he met a throng of supporters in his final turn.

Bigs, Littles, friends, family and coworkers all lined up to cheer as Rob took his last few strides across the finish line. 

In just five days, Rob has run 100 miles throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul to raise awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the agency’s need for male mentors. It was simply astonishing to witness as he poured body, heart and soul into inspiring others to action for the sake of our children.

The finish-line rally coincided with the West Metro Picnic: The Extra Mile sponsored by Arby’s and the BBBS Board of Directors. Over a hundred matches turned out to celebrate Rob’s achievement and their own mentor friendships with fantastic food, entertainment and games.

It was a spectacular conclusion to an amazing event.

Though the running may be done, Big Brothers Big Sisters has an ongoing commitment to provide safe, free, high-quality mentoring programs for children in our community. Consider supporting our cause as we continue to enrich the lives of young people through one-to-one mentor relationships. If you’re interested in volunteering, donating or becoming an Everday Advocate visit us at www.bigstwincities.org or call 651-789-2400.

Day Four

At the end of day four, having run 80 miles, Rob was able to still put on a grin and give the thumbs up. As many as seven runners joined Rob today for large chunks of his twenty-mile run, which spanned parts of the Mississippi River and the Minneapolis Greenway. Coworkers, friends and family greeted the group at today’s final stop, Tiger Sushi in Uptown. 

Rob’s father and sister even sported ‘Go Rob Go’ hats.

Even more runners pledge to join in tomorrow as the run concludes with several consecutive laps around Lake Calhoun. Even as Rob has poured every ounce of himself into running extreme distances each day, he seems to be still taking it all in stride. He’s determined to meet the goal, laying it all on the line for the sake of the children in our community who are still waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Calling Rob’s achievement this week remarkable would be an understatement. When he crosses the finish line tomorrow he will have done the unimaginable, 100 miles in five consecutive days. But Rob isn’t running just to create an incredible story about himself. His hope is that hundreds of new stories can be made between caring adult volunteers and young people who need a consistent, positive friendship in their lives. All the miles will have been run in vain if the word doesn’t get out about the need for mentors. From the very beginning we have dubbed this effort an exercise of will to call upon the willing. Are you willing to spend time with a child in your community? Or do you know anyone who would make a great volunteer? Tell him about 100 Miles for 100 Mentors and Rob’s effort to call men in our community to action. And have him visit www.bigstwincities.org to find out how to be part of something BIG.

Miles 80 through 100 await tomorrow. If you happen to catch Rob running, shout it out, “Go Rob, Go!”

ABC National News is talking about Rob

100 Miles for 100 Mentors has gone national. Rob, you’re dedication is incredible!

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8426147

Finish strong!

Day Three

Our man, Rob, looked like he was out for a casual jog for miles 40 through 60.

The day started out at the gates of the State Fairgrounds, and followed a route that touched parts of the University of Minnesota’s campus before swinging by the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ offices for a quick rally and photo op.

A group of 20 plus BBBS staff members added a mile in support of Rob, heading out from the agency to walk a loop through St. Paul. Fellow coworkers, Paul Carlson and Carolyn Cornils Scherer, along with Carolyn’s husband, Dave, joined Rob for the run’s second half. The group ran along the East River Road, where Rob surpassed the midpoint of the challenge, 50 miles. 

He went on to finish out the day in top form, nearly sprinting the final stretch. He’s looking good and feeling fully charged for the two remaining days.

Rob’s strength and dedication to recruiting mentors across the metro area is simply awe-inspiring. Take Rob’s effort to heart, and consider telling others about his amazing story. And most importantly, consider helping his cause. We need men, all around the 10-county area we serve, to step forward as mentors for our young kids. It will make a huge difference for generations to come. Rob knows it. That’s why he’s running. Click here to learn more.

Day Two

Today Rob continued to make his way through the Twin Cities, running a route from Northeast Minneapolis to Lake Calhoun and back downtown again. WCCO’s Heather Brown ran a leg of the route with him today, and joining them was one of Rob’s old college friends who heard about his goal for 100 Mentors and came out to support his buddy and the cause. 

The runners stopped for a brief rally at WCCO plaza where they were surrounded by supporters.

Governor Tim Pawlenty was at the station, and took a moment to offer Rob some words of encouragement.

Heather Brown gave another quick interview, and then the crew was off again to finish today’s 20-miler.

Three more days to run, with 60 miles still to cover, and the goal of 100 MENtors still looming large.

Every child that wants or needs a mentor should have one. It’s that simple. 

Go, Rob, Go!

WCCO Story on 100 Miles for 100 Mentors

Last night, WCCO aired a fantastic segment about 100 Miles for 100 Mentors. Reporter, Heather Brown (a Big Sister, herself), interviewed a great mentor match, Ron and Zach, then took the time to talk with Rob as he prepared for his endeavor. It was a fantastic story, and worth the watch. You can check it out here:  http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=65842@wcco.dayport.com

And so it begins …

Today, starting at the base of the Capitol steps in St. Paul, Rob Donahue began his five-day, 100-mile trek through the Twin Cities. 

Rob will hit the 100-mile mark on Saturday, but he has a bigger goal than the finish line. He’s running to mobilize men from the Twin Cities to volunteer as mentors. As an employee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Rob sees the difference adult mentors make in the lives of young people all the time. Facing the rising need for Big Brothers, Rob has set out to raise public awareness and to inspire volunteers to step forward for the sake of future generations.

Running 100 miles over the course of the five days will prove to be difficult challenge. Being a mentor for a young person in our community is rather simple. Giving a Little Brother your time as a positive friend, just two to four times a month, is all it takes to change his life. And here’s the thing, you’re life will be forever changed, too.

To cheer Rob home tonight, join us at Billy’s on Grand from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To learn how you can live BIG visit us online or call 651-789-2400.

The Daily Running Routes!

Running Route Details:
This plan is designed to give an overview for the proposed running routes that will be followed during the 100 Miles for 100 Mentors Event.

Day 1 – Tuesday, August 25
St. Paul Only Run

The first day of running will begin at the Capitol steps in St. Paul at 11:30 a.m., run through downtown, along Selby Ave, up Grand Ave,and around the college campuses of Macalaster, St. Thomas and St. Kate’s.  The route will also include a look that begins at Cleveland and Randolph, runs south, travels along Ford Parkway and back up Snelling to eventually finish at the Cleveland/Randolph intersection.  After completeing the loop the runners will double-back to Grand Ave, head east for a stretch then turn back west to end at Billy’s on Grand around 5:00 p.m., where August’s BIG Happy Hour will take Place. 

 

Day 2 – Wednesday, August 26
Northeat Minneapolis to Lake Calhoun

On the second day, running begins in Northeast Minneapolis at Broadway and Central Aves at 11:15 a.m.  Runners will progress toward downtown on central weaving down University Ave and St. Anthony Main before crossing the Hennepin Ave bridge and running down Nicollet Ave.  Runners will swing by WCCO’s plaza for a 30 minute rally. The run will proceed toward Uptown with small loops near the Walker Art Museum, along Lagoon and Lake then down to Lake Calhoun for two laps.  The run will return to downtown via Lyndale, Franklin, and First Aves.  Once downtown, the run will pass by the Target Center head down to Washington Ave, then double back along 2nd Ave, 3rd St and Marquette Ave to finish at the Downtown Arby’s near 7th street around 3:00 p.m.

 

Day 3 – Thursday, August 27
State Fair to Nicollet Ave Farmer’s Market

On the third day, runners will start at the State Fair at 12:30 p.m. and weave through the fairgrounds, then exit onto Como Ave.  The route will follow Como to Raymond then down to University Ave passing by the Big Brothers Big Sisters offices before heading toward the U of M campus via Franklin and the East River Road. Runners will loop up to cross over the river on the University’s Washington Ave pedestrian bridge, run through campus then out onto Washington Ave down to Nicollet Ave.  Heading west on Nicollet, the route will pass by the farmer’s market then run around on 12th st.  The runners will follow the same path back to end once again at the State Fair around 4:00 p.m.

 

Day 4 – Friday, August 28
U of M to Uptown

For day four, runners will start at SportClips in Stadium Village near the campus of the U of M at 1:30 p.m.  The run will make two loops down East River Road across the Franklin bridge then up West River Pkwy, weaving through 4th street, 19th Ave and the West Bank, eventually crossing the Washington Ave pedestrian bridge to end up in fron of the Weisman Art Museum.  After completing the circuit a second time, runners will follow East River Road again all the way south to the MArshall Ave bridge to cross the Mississippi.  There will be a short jog north along West River Pkwy and to the Midtown Greenway entrance.  Heading west on the Greenway, the route will proceed down to Dean Pkwy, just north of Lake Calhoun, then back track along the Greenway twice to eventually finish below the patio of Tiger Sushi 2 on Lyndale Ave in Uptown around5:00 p.m. 

 

Day 5 – Saturday, August 29
Lake Calhoun

On the fifth and final day of running, participating runners will make 6 and one-half consectutive laps around Lake Calhoun beginning at the Calhoun Pavilion on the northeast corner of the lake at 11:00 a.m, and finishing at the southeast side of the lake.  An exclusive finish line party and picnic will be held for current Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-bases matches.

 

Though all routes have been designed and approved by lead participants, they are subject to  modification at any point up to and including the day of each run.

For the most accurate route information or if you want to participatein any of the routes contact Mike Marcotte at 651.789.2496 or mmarcotte@bigstwincities.org

Thank You Arby’s!

A BIG thank you to our presenting sponsor, Arby’s. Without your generous donations, including food for our match-only picnic and finish line party, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for assisting us in having a successful run and finish to the race!

For more information about 100 Miles for 100 MENtors please contact Mike Marcotte at mmarcotte@bigstwincities.org.

Rob’s 100 Miles for 100 MENtors Update

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the 100 miles I feel as prepared as I am going to be. This past week I ran 8 miles, 9 miles, 8 miles, 12 miles, 20 miles, and 14 miles on consecutive days. With being the impatient person I am all I can do now is start to taper down and wait for the week of Five 20 miles to approach (which seems more of a difficult task to do than run).

In the past few months I have received tremendous support in my preparation for the event and for this I would like to extend a huge thanks to everyone who supported me in my training and most importantly the goal of 100 MENtors. Now I want to give an even larger thanks to my beautiful and awesome wife! Without her I would not have been able to do anything of this, her support and patience has given me courage, hope, and a strong conviction to finish what I have started. 143K

My goal in all of this was not only run 100 miles but to see 100 boys get the big brother they deserve. I can and will run 100 miles, now I need the support of anyone who is reading this to help me achieve the goal of 100 BIGS.

I will end with one of my favorite quotes: “One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But one hundred hears from now the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.”