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Aren’t ready to commit to a marathon (or half-marathon) but still want to make a BIG difference in your community? Then consider running this year’s UPMC Health Plan / UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run as a charity runner in the Run for a Reason Charity Program.  

Find a cause that means something important to you

Morgan Le Jeune will be running the Pittsburgh 5K this year as a charity runner with the American Cancer Society DetermiNation team. For the third time, she will be running in memory of her father who passed away from colon cancer four years ago.

Even though Le Jeune will be running a full marathon the weekend before Pittsburgh, she didn’t want to miss being part of the 2022 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events. She plans to have fun and focus on her fundraising this year.  

“The UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon was my first half postpartum and really reignited my love for running,” Le Jeune said. “There is something special about the running community in Pittsburgh and the community support on race day is amazing. I absolutely love the crowds and the energy! It makes the race so much fun and exciting!”

Use your new pandemic hobby to help others

Charity runner Natasha Close not only wanted to run her first 5K this year but also wanted to make a difference in her community. In addition to tackling 3.1 miles, she will be fundraising for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.  

“Over the past year, I have found running to be a stress reliever for dealing with all the changes in life and in the world,” Close said. “I have made immense improvements and wanted to use my new hobby to do something to help others."

"In 2019, I was the Washington County Dairy Princess and had the opportunity to tour the facilities of the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank and learn about their work,” Close said. “The scale of the facilities enlightened me on the food insecurity that is present so close to home.”

Low pressure way to make a difference 

The Pittsburgh 5K is a great way to get started with the Run for a Reason Charity Program. 5K charity runners only need to raise a minimum of $150, the equivalent to asking 15 people for $10. Once you hit your fundraising minimum, you will receive a refund for your registration fee.  

A community that will support you all the way to the finish line 

If you are a first-time runner or getting back into running after an injury or hiatus, then joining a charity team as a 5K runner will keep you accountable to your running goals and provide a support network during your training and on race day.  

“I’m not running with friends or family this year, but DetermiNation as a whole is like a big family!” Le Jeune said.   

Read more about how you can get involved with the Run for a Reason Charity Program here.