We stand in solidarity and vigilance with our brothers and sisters of the United States and the World at-large. We hold close to our hearts our belief that all people are created equal—and that any acceptance of injustice, no matter how small, gives way to greater injustices.
In 2017, we learned how to rise up, run, and be heard together. We discovered the Rise Up 5K: an active focal point for a nationwide movement. We learned to collectively support human rights by donating, running for, and having conversations about the civil liberty charities of our choice. We gave 100% of the net proceeds from the Rise Up 5K directly to these charity organizations. And now they need our support, perhaps now more than ever—and we refuse to sit down. We will rise up.
Recent events in the United States have threatened our global standing, and unwound decades of hard-earned progress. Women, minorities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ have been demeaned, insulted, and disparaged. Muslims have been vilified, and immigrants discarded. Refugees, many of whom are women and children, have been turned away. Our leaders have attempted to normalize rape culture, threatening women everywhere, and the degrading the societal expectations of men. The current state of American culture and politics may be disheartening and frightening—but our nation’s greatest triumphs have sprouted from great adversity.
The Rise Up 5K defines a hero as an ordinary person who rises up amidst adversity. After Sojourner Truth’s children were stolen and sold, she rose up, escaped slavery, and dedicated her life to civil rights and women’s rights. When Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting in a presidential election, she rose up in prison and continued to to fight for women’s right to vote. Even Rosa Parks rose up, by refusing to rise up, retaining her seat on the bus, and challenging the systemic racism of her day. Today, we must also rise up amidst the adversity we are facing now, and defend the progress our heroes have made.
Our task may be daunting, when we stand together, we become greater than the sum of our parts. If we remain as silent individuals, we perpetuate these injustices. Martin Luther King Jr., articulated our reality: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” We can’t afford to be silent any longer. Rise up, run, and be heard with us.
National Director
Ashleigh is the owner of Starlit Running Co., LLC, and the National Director of Community Alliance Running Even Series, Inc. (CARES). She has been a race director for seven years. Ashleigh is also an experienced copywriter who authors articles about running and race directing. She earned her B.S. in Nursing from Missouri Southern State University. Ashleigh has competed in over 15 marathons, including three Boston Marathons (2006, 2013, 2014).
Social Media Manager and Event Logistics
Ana is an experienced social media manager and running event volunteer coordinator. She earned her B.A. at Missouri Southern State University.
The inaugural Rise Up 5K, held July 1, 2017, generated $101,457 in net proceeds.This total is an impressive achievement for a first-year event, and it demonstrates the change we can enact by rising up together.
$101,457 was donated to nine charities across the country. The breakdown of our 2017 donations is listed below.