November – A Time of Thanks

November is a time for reflection and thanks for us.? Not only is it the end of our racing season, but we formed the company 5 years ago in November so it is our Anniversary as well!? (You can learn more about us at this link.)

We are always so incredibly grateful at the end of each season.? Normally we post our year-end Rhode Crew picture with this post but this year at the Ocean State Rhode race, we were all a bit too cold and wet to stay still that long for a team picture!? So we are using last year’s picture.? 🙂

In 2019, we are particularly grateful to our hundreds of volunteers who help us execute amazing races – our volunteers did not have an easy task this season.? We went 3 for 3 with marathons in the rain this year and the volunteers really bared the brunt of this weather.? They were out there for as long as 6-7 hours in the rain and cold, always with a cheerful demeanor and a desire to help.? Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our races and we can’t thank them enough.? Additionally, it is rewarding for us as we are able to provide community service hours to those that need it, donations to their causes, or free race entries depending on the situation.? We LOVE being able to give back in this way.?

We did incorporate some new procedures in our efforts to try and be responsible environmental partners.? We created our plogging teams and our gel bucket program in hopes of leaving our racecourses in better shape than we started.? As today is National Recycling Day, we are hoping that you will continue to partner with us in our efforts in 2020.? And if you have ideas as to how to improve our efforts, we are always all ears!?

This year we raised and donated thousands of dollars to various local charities, donated hundreds of shirts and apparel to a group home and gave pounds of food to a local soup kitchen.? But most importantly, we heard AMAZING stories as to why people run, what it means to cross that finish line, what training and running have given you this year.? And it is for this – that we are truly humbled and grateful.

Thank you – for letting us be a part of that journey.