60 alumni runners and running enthusiasts met last Sunday, April 6th, 2014, at MIT to attend the information session of TeamAidAsha running program (TAA). TAA program trains interested individuals to run Half or Full Marathon, who help in raising funds to support development projects that are supported by Boston chapters of two charitable organization “Asha for Education” (Asha) and “Association for India’s Development” (AID). Asha promotes education for the most impoverished and under-privileged children in India. AID supports sustainable, equitable and  just development projects in India covering various interconnected spheres like, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment, education, livelihood generation, environment and social justice.
 
In its 12th year now, TAA Marathon program is a well planned, coordinated and structured program that trains interested individual to run a half (Bay State, Lowell) or full marathon (Marine Corps Marathon, DC or Bay State, Lowell). TAA program works because of a proven system  - professional coach’s guidance, weekly training, different clinics (shoe clinic, stretching clinic, fundraising clinic), strength and speed training, and support of numerous enthusiastic volunteers. Starting with training for a half or full marathon from early April to late October, runners run around locations in and around Boston like Charles River, Minuteman Trail, and Mystic Lake. Last year 36 runners completed full and half marathons raising ~$60,000. TAA owes its success to the tireless efforts of runners, coaches, volunteers and supporters.
So far the program has trained over 250 runners and raised over $630,000.

Enrapturing the audience, the TAA information session included overview of both sponsoring organizations - Asha and AID. Also, discussion on the TAA program structure was followed by insights given by TAA coach Jonathan Wyner. Lastly, alumni runners shared their experiences and challenges recalling in October 2013 how they ran either a full marathon or half-marathon through TAA. Despite having to “sweat” and “go the extra mile”, alumni runners encouraged new runners to check out the TAA program indicating that all new runners successfully finish marathons and meet their fundraising goals.

Alumni runners echoed coach Jonathan’s view on running being a “life transforming” process. It not only adds to an individual’s personal growth and develops understanding of great work done by Asha and AID but also builds relationships and memories which are cherished for a long time.

Join us, please review the links for more information.

TAA: www.teamaidasha.org

TAA information session Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1394675374133948/

TAA Information Session Material: http://www.teamaidasha.org/information-session-materials.html

Asha for Education: www.ashanet.org/mit

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