Up-to-Date Stats

Days to go:  0 (0%)

Miles completed:  1001 (100%)

Miles to go:  0 (0%)

Miles required per day to meet goal: 0 

Total time run to date:  5 days, 36 minutes, 58 seconds

Average mile pace:  7 minutes, 15 seconds

Notes

27 people joined for the final mile run. Another 15 joined the post-run celebration. Although it rained during the afternoon, the skies cleared just long enough for us to stay dry. Barb Buckner gave an inspiring talk to the group before we set off, recounting her own experience as a mom of a daughter who is now thankfully cancer free, stating her gratitude to CCA and others who helped her family during their journey and reflecting on other children and families they met along the way who did not survive their disease.

The group started as one but quickly split in two as the runners of the group sped ahead to keep up with the kids on bikes. The two groups rejoined at Irving Park and broke the finish line tape together. The thank you celebration that followed featured overnight smoked pork butts and an 18 pound brisket, a camp fire in the backyard and a movie for the kids. The next morning my wife and I extended the celebration by spending a night at the Nines in downtown Portland to mark the 20th anniversary of our first kiss!

While I ran the large majority of this year's miles in Portland, I also covered ground in the following locales:

• Oakton, VA,
• Manzanita, OR,
• Rockaway, OR,
• Boise, ID,
• Twin Falls, ID,
• Big Timber, MT,
• Redstone, MT
• Spokane, WA
• Pelham, NY

1,001 Miles is first a fundraiser for Children's Cancer Association. Over the past two years, it has also become part of who I am. I am regularly asked about it by those who are checking in on the progress and those who have never heard of it before.  1,001 Miles has t-shirts, a hat, websites and business cards. It is part of my day, every day, whether I am logging miles, soliciting pledges or feeling the aches and pains from it. The decision of whether to continue for a third year was an easy one.  CCA helps people who really need help. I am blessed to be able to bring attention and money to their efforts in my own small way. I can not wait to get started on year three of 1,001 Miles.

Photos from the final mile run:

Onward,

Chris Chiacchierini