Dubbed the Toughest Race on Earth, the 2012 Marathon Des Sables will take place April 8-14, in the central part of Morocco….and Brian Grossman will participate to help the Bend-based children’s organization. Brian’s goal is to raise $50,000 to get and keep kids in the game.
Brian Grossman is determined to complete the near impossible in a show of support for nonprofit KIDS in the GAME. Mr. Grossman will compete in the 27th running of the Marathon des Sables, known as the Toughest Footrace on Earth. This 7-day race takes place in the Sahara Desert of central Morocco April 8 -14. The race distance is equivalent of nearly six marathons, totaling just over 250 kilometers (150 miles). It is a self-supported race, meaning Grossman will pack all of his own food and supplies across the rugged desert terrain. He will also endure temperatures ranging from 40 to 120F, with only a lean-to tent, water, and medical care provided by race organizers. Each year, approximately 900 participants attempt to endure this grueling race. He is one of 29 Americans competing this year.
Grossman will attempt the Sahara Challenge in a show of fundraising and awareness support for the nonprofit KIDS in the GAME, an organization whose mission is to provide support for underprivileged youth in America to participate in sports and other physical activities. He heard about the race 15 years ago from a gentleman who participated himself, and thought, “This would be a great bucket-list item.” In January 2011, Brian realized that he hadn’t had motivation to work out and be healthy – he was 30 pounds overweight. Thus, the dream of participating in the Marathon des Sables re-emerged and took on a greater meaning as his inspiration to train and compete comes from his desire to have a major impact on helping kids develop life and other essential skills through sports. Fourteen months into the training, he has endured runs of longer than 9 hours over various types of terrain, all while working full time.
He is motivated by the objective to bring awareness about KIDS in the GAME to the fore with the Sahara Challenge with a goal to raise $50,000 for the organization. “With the high cost of registration fees and pay-to-play programs, too many kids in the United States that want to play are left on the sidelines. It is our goal at KIDS in the GAME to provide financial resources to get kids onto fields, onto courts, and onto teams so they can reap the benefits of that amazing experience.
Grossman further adds, “Childhood obesity rates are off the charts and an issue that is growing – and I hope that through my efforts, more people will contribute to helping reverse these shocking statistics.”
“Brian’s tremendous efforts are a springboard to raise awareness of the importance of youth sports in this country to a kid’s development as a human being,” said KIDS in the GAME co-founder John Ballantine. “We hope that through this campaign, people will give their attention to this tremendously important issue: kids who are in a situation where they don’t have access to active pursuits outside of school are falling behind academically, socially, physically. Our efforts to positively impact kids will aid in the fight against obesity, improve high school graduation rates, and benefit our communities as a whole.”
About KIDS in the GAME
Youth sports participation is essential to human development and an invaluable experience to prepare young people for their lives ahead. Research shows that youth that play organized sports are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college, more likely to abstain from drugs and alcohol, and more likely to success in life. KIDS in the GAME is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on inspiring kids to thrive in life through sports. The goal is to empower underserved youth to live up to their full potential through positive sports experiences that form active, healthy habits for a lifetime. KIDS in the GAME program, they provide financial resources to help youth from low-income families, youth that are physically or mentally challenged, and kids that are at-risk gain access to sports programs.
Learn more at www.KidsInTheGame.org.
KIDS in the GAME provides financial assistance to help youth from low-income families, youth that are physically or mentally challenged, and kids that are “at-risk” gain access to sports programs. The nonprofit also raises awareness of the importance of athletics in developing future leaders, with skills and values that transfer from the sports field into the classroom, workplace, family and community. More information can be found at www.kidsinthegame.org.
62% of kids ages 9-13 don’t participate in sports due to lack of funds
70% of kids drop out of sports by the age of 13
33% of kids are overweight or obese by the 3rd grade
$3.5 billion in funding was eliminated for after school sports programs in 2010-2011
Kids who participate in sports are shown to:
– have higher self esteem
– participate in less criminal activity
– perform better academically
– abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol less
– be teenaged-parents less
– be far less often obese or overweight than kids who don’t participate in sports
