Burlington Marathon Runner Racing to Raise Funds for Diabetes

The following is an announcement by Brendan Stapleton of Fitness Together:

In between training clients at his Fitness Together studio in Burlington, Brendan Stapleton is either training for a race or running in one.  In fact, when you discover just how much Brendan likes to run, (he once ran two marathons in 5 weeks) you can’t help but think of the intrepid Forrest Gump, running from coast to coast and back again.

Over the course of his career, Stapleton’s run in too many races to count. In the last year he has run in 4 full marathons, with his next, the Boston Marathon, coming this April. And when he’s not training or racing, he’s figuring out how to use his passion for running to raise money for charities.   

Last year, Stapleton and four friends raised $25,000 for the Nashoba Learning Group, a school for children with Autism where his good friend and fellow running mate, Peter Argriros, is a staff member. This year Stapleton will be running the Boston Marathon again, but this time to raise money for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Over the past two years, Fitness Together Studios throughout Eastern New England have already raised over $70,000 for the ADA to help find a cure for diabetes.  

"Type 2 Diabetes and obesity represent a huge impact on our society, our health care system, our work force and our economy," says Steve Lichtman, owner of four Fitness Together Studios and Representative for the Fitness Together Eastern New England Owners Cooperative. "At Fitness Together, we're helping a lot of people to get healthy, to lose weight, to lower their blood glucose levels and improve their overall productivity and sense of well-being. We want to keep doing all we can to bring an end to this disease."

This year Stapleton’s biggest challenge may not be training for or finishing the race with a respectable time, but rather raising a lot of money in a short amount of time. In order to secure a number for the race, a runner must agree to raise a minimum of $4,000 for a charity recognized by the Boston Athletic Association or be personally responsible for handing over that amount. Last year Stapleton began his fundraising efforts for the Nashoba Learning Group in early December. This year he’s getting a late start.

“I got word that I had a number for the marathon in late January and the funds are due by April 1, so we’re about two months behind in the fundraising.”  

Still, Stapleton says he’s got this. Between support from Fitness Together studios, his clients and his own network he hopes to raise twice as much as the minimum $4,000. He’ll be selling corporate sponsorship packages that include the company logo on his race day shirt and on his fund raising web site, as well as well as mention in any publicity pieces.  

Click here to donate online to Brendan’s Run for the ADA. Checks made out to the American Diabetes Association can be sent to: Brendan Stapleton c/o Fitness Together Burlington 212 Cambridge St. Burlington, MA 01803