“The greatest reward of an effort is not what you get from it, but what you become by it.”

Many people start running for health and fitness reasons. Others start off running because they have family history of heart disease or obesity and choose to combat these risks with exercise. Still others run for charity, and still more run just because running is fun and it makes them feel good. Stress relief, strength, and weight loss are all reasons why people run. Irrespective of why a person takes up the sport of running, he or she undoubtedly enjoys the following benefits:

• Health
• Fitness
• Maintain the right weight
• Longevity
• Undisturbed sleep
• Stress-free life

Running aside, why would anybody want to run a marathon? It obviously involves a lot of time and effort. However, the glamour and tradition of the classic distance (26.2 miles) captures the imagination and presents the ultimate fitness challenge. It is like climbing the highest mountain. As the longest, most grueling, and most unpredictable of mainstream endurance running events, it symbolizes fitness and performance. It is agony and it is ecstasy.

With Strides of Hope, in addition to the above benefits, you get to make a difference in the lives of thousands of underprivileged children in India. By running and raising funds for Asha, you will undergo an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. So come improve your running ability and give the underprivileged children of India the gift of education. So what is your excuse? Let’s get running!!

“I always loved running. It was something you could do by yourself and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow, as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.”

– Jesse Owens