If you know anything about charity endurance sports, than you know Team In Training ®(TNT), of the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS). What’s incredible is that they’ve raised $1 billion to support blood cancer research and patient services in 21 years.
The program is an intense one - preparing amateurs and seasoned athletes to complete a marathon, half marathon, triathlon, 100-mile century cycle ride or hike adventure. Through the program's expert coaching and support, more than 420,000 people have reached their physical goals.
TNT began in 1988, when Bruce Cleland, a Westchester County, NY, businessman, spurred on a group of 38 to train for the New York City Marathon while they raised money for leukemia research in response to his own young daughter's diagnosis with the disease. Cleland enlisted friend and Olympian Rod Dixon to train them. That first team raised $320,000 for LLS; and so a movement was born.
The idea quickly began to catch on with other chapters, and during the 1990s, walk, cycle and triathlon were added to the mix. TNT provides training by certified coaches and participants have the camaraderie of a group of supportive teammates while they train. In addition to weekly training sessions TNT offers clinics on nutrition, equipment, injury prevention and safety.
There are more than 200 national and local events TNT participants can attend, and "TNT helps participants realize their dream of taking on the most challenging of athletic events while raising money to conquer blood cancers," said LLS President and CEO John Walter. Now is the time to start training for spring and summer events. To learn more visit www.teamintraining.org or call 1.800.482-TEAM.
