Marathon Programs Make Everyone Winners

To the Editor:

I ran the Chicago marathon — my first — last fall for Team In Training, the Leukemia Society’s training program (“Raising Funds Over the Long Run,” February 11).

As a runner, I had a long-held goal of finishing a marathon, a daunting task. The program gave me a coach, a team, training support and, best of all, a feeling of being part of something much bigger than my own personal interest. All of that helped me get through the grueling four months of training, which was really more difficult than the race itself.

I personally had no problems raising the money: I actually doubled my goal amount. It was raised from friends and co-workers who were hugely supportive of my effort for charity.

In the end, I accomplished my goal and the Leukemia Society had a nice chunk of change to aid research into the leading killer among childhood diseases. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

George McLaren
Indianapolis