“Running for More 2021: Focused Forward” fundraiser for the CRC
Nick Weidmayer
It’s said that sequels rarely live up to the original, but Nick Weidmayer is running to prove them wrong. And he may have done that this year.
In 2019, Nick had a “secret” personal running challenge, to end the year on a good note — or as he put it, finish one year before moving into the next. When that went well, he decided to start “Running for More 2020: Magnify the Good,” which he completed on Dec. 31, 2020.
“It was such a success,” he says. “So many people jumped on board (last year) to donate money and supplies for the Manchester Community Resource Center. There were even people who came out to run. We truly did magnify the good, in each other and our community.”
His hopes for “Running for More 2021: Focused Forward,” were to build on last year’s success.
“Focused Forward comes from a mantra of sorts that I use when I am running,” he explained. “I will repeat the phrase ‘eyes up spirits up’ when I start to feel discouraged. It reminds me to get my eyes off the ground, or tiredness, or whatever is troubling me, or maybe even distracting me to focus on something above and beyond, something bigger. It doesn’t always magically make those things disappear, but it can make them smaller, less important, or even give them a purpose.”
This December 31 he expanded his challenge to allow more miles for himself and more options for others to participate. Starting at midnight on Dec. 31, his goal was to log as many miles as possible in 12 hours, where he had done eight hours in 2019 and 2020, reaching 50 and 49 miles, respectively.
Asking for pledges to the Manchester Community Resource Center (CRC) from his friends, was a way for Nick to make this event less about “him” and more about community. And once again, the community came through.
One of Nick’s goals was to engage with more people this year. “This includes more people benefited by our support of the Community Resource Center, and more people participating on December 31st. I’d love to have more people running, but that’s not for everyone — especially the 12 hour part.”
Some people donated per mile; others per hour of running. A crew at The Distance in Manchester committed to working out on the hour from 4 am to 8 am that morning, with donations matched by the Andrews and Weidmayer families. Six kids participated in the “kids mile” at 8 am at the Weidmayers’ home. At least 25 families participated in this challenge, raising about $5,000 for the CRC.
CRC Director, Laura Seyfried, said, “We really appreciate the contributions from Nick’s running challenge. It helps support the CRC in many ways, including resources as diverse as our food pantry program and upcoming free income tax preparation service.”
In all, Nick ended up running 57 miles, despite “creepy” conditions; less than his “realistic” goal of 65 miles but an increase over his first two years. He was motivated by the energy and the resources that his supporters had contributed, by those who cheered him on all along the way, those who ran along side him, and those who did their own thing.
A short time after finishing his 12-hour journey toward the end of 2021, Nick posted on the Facebook event page, “…not sure I can put into words this year’s party yet, but I’m going to try before I fall asleep. I am amazed again by you all. Even if I wanted to fail you all wouldn’t let me. This year proved to be less about me and more about everyone supporting each other and finishing the year well; all while helping a great organization in our community. You all rock. I’m so thankful!
What will New Years Eve 2022 bring for Nick and Sara? New challenges, new goals, new friends, certainly plenty of family support, and much more. Right now, he’s focusing forward.
Neil runs with his mom through the village.
There were six kids who showed up at 8 am New Years Eve morning. A $100 donation to the CRC was made in honor of each kid who participated.
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