Photos from the MPLS / St. Paul Run for Christchurch

Two weeks ago, I posted about the virtual "Run for Christchurch".

It was a way to raise awareness and money for the people of Christchurch, New Zealand, after the devastating earthquake on February 22nd. It was a few "blogger buddies" from NZ that started this idea. They originally hoped to raise $5,000. They reached that goal and then hoped to raise $10,000. Well, they've already raised over $11,000!!

I put out the call on my blog for local runners to meet me in Minneapolis. We all met on Saturday, and we ended up with 13 adults, 1 toddler, and a yellow lab:

All wearing black and red for Christchurch!
(The Christchurch rugby team wears black and red.)

Those are a lot of familiar local faces in that crowd, and a couple of fresh faces. Not to brag, but we had a native New Zealand-er! Evan is the one in the red hat 5th from the right.

We headed out for a chilly 5K into the winter wind. Here was our route:

Distance in kilometers


James, Jason, Laura (with Zurich), Matt, Matt, and Mary


James, Jason, Jeremy, me, and Laura (photo from Mary)


Laura and Mary near our turn-around with a pack behind them


Failed over-the-shoulder shot, but I got beloved "hatty" in the photo!


2 Matts, Evan, and Evan's family


Jeremy's photo of us running up to Franklin


Matt crossing the Mississippi


Everyone heading towards St. Paul


Entering St. Paul
(if the snow weren't so deep, you'd be able to see that)


Nearing the Lake / Marshall bridge, at the OFFICAL end of the 5K

We finished the 5K in 29:02. As you can see from that photo, it looks like James and Mary were the first place male and female. PRs, I'm sure. :)

Up to the bridge


Mary's photo of us running across the bridge


Evan crossing back to the Minneapolis side of the Mississippi


Zurich and her dirty belly

Being this was a "virtual run," I had 2 blogger buddies send me photos from THEIR runs for Christchurch (wearing black and red, of course!):

Dave after 13 miles!


Theresa after her run for Christchurch!

So, if you're able to donate (even just a few dollars), click here to go to the "Run for Christchurch" donation page. I donated $5 / kilometer before our run. And click here for more info on the "Run for Christchurch" website.

On a separate note, we've all seen the horrible images coming out of Japan. This is totally unaffiliated with our "Run for Christchurch," but if you're able to give some more, please donate to the quake and tsunami victims in Japan.

The world's a wild place right now. Be safe everyone. Be thankful for the roof over your head tonight.