Help Melissa raise money

This October, I’ll be running the Medtronic Twin Cities Half Marathon as part of Team TCM!

This race is incredibly personal to me. My brother turns 40 on October 3, and race day is October 4. Just six months later, on April 3, I’ll celebrate my 50th birthday. We thought it would be pretty amazing to celebrate these milestone birthdays together—him entering his 40s and me saying goodbye to mine—by crossing finish lines side by side (well… sort of 😄).

He’ll be running the full marathon, and I’ll be tackling the half marathon.

For me, this journey is about so much more than 13.1 miles. It’s about family, health, determination, and proving that it’s never too late to set a new goal. A few years ago, I never imagined I’d be training for a half marathon. Every mile reminds me how far I’ve come and that age should never define what’s possible.

But this journey is about more than my own finish line.

As a member of Team TCM, I’m raising funds to help Twin Cities In Motion continue making running accessible, welcoming, and life-changing for people of all ages and abilities.

Your support helps make programs like these possible:

🏃 TC Kids Run Free – Since 2022, more than 25,000 youth (18 and under) have registered for TCM events at no cost, including nearly 8,000 young runners this year alone.

💙 Equity in Motion – Providing discounted race registration for participants facing financial hardship, helping ensure cost isn’t a barrier to participating.

👟 High School Running Shoe Program – Supplying running shoe certificates to student athletes who need them, helping young runners stay active and compete with confidence.

🎉 The Runtourage – Incredible volunteers who cheer on participants at every event, every distance, celebrating every runner and walker regardless of pace.

🤝 Free Community Programs – Educational and social events that have welcomed more than 2,500 runners and walkers, building community and encouraging healthy lifestyles beyond race day.

My fundraising goal is $365, and every donation—no matter the size—helps support these amazing programs and the people whose lives they impact.

If you’re able to donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if donating isn’t possible, your encouragement, prayers, and cheers along the way mean just as much to me.

Here’s to celebrating milestones, building community, and proving that it’s never too late to do hard things.