When a Man Decides to Run 1,000 Mile Marathon
Business owner and humanitarian James Mangini, 32, will embark on the 1000 Mile Marathon on May 7 to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease research. His journey will start in Charleston, SC and he plans to complete his 1,000 miles in New York City on June 7.
“This journey is not just about raising awareness and finding a cure for my dad and the millions of others who live with Parkinson’s,” notes Mangini. “It’s about inspiring and challenging everyday heroes to join the fight against Parkinson’s disease.”
Mangini will run approximately 33 miles, or eight to 10 hours each day. Along the way he will stop in a dozen cities across nine states to bolster local support and build awareness. One stop will be in Hillsborough, NJ at the home of his father who was stricken with Parkinson’s disease six years ago.
The 1000 Mile Marathon is organized and operates as a nonprofit organization and was set up to raise awareness and to benefit Team Fox, the community fundraising division of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF).
Now through December 31, every dollar donated to MJFF through the 1000 Mile Marathon will be matched dollar-for-dollar with the $50-million Brin-Wojcicki Challenge, launched by Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki.
In addition to the support of MJFF and Team Fox, sponsors of the 1000 Mile Marathon include Home Telecom, Charleston Southern University and the South Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center.
According to MJFF, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder. The average age at onset is 60, people have been diagnosed as young as 18. Approximately 1.5 million people in the US have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. And it is estimated that another 2 million around the world are living undiagnosed.
