Greater Chicago Chapter

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Joints in Motion

The Arthritis Foundation's world-class marathon training program. It is a program designed for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Just choose your destination, decide if you want to run or walk, and we'll get you started. Our coaches have developed specific running and walking programs for the beginning and the experienced athlete. Once you have reached your fundraising goal, you will receive hotel accommodations, ground transportation at your destination to and from the airport, event entry, and much more. The Arthritis Foundation allotment of entries for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has been completely taken already but a waiting list is possible - see below.

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Honoree

We encourage Joints in Motion participants to take on this challenge in honor of someone with arthritis. If you do not have a friend or family member in mind, we are happy to match you up with a special honoree. When you think you just cannot go another step, it is important to remember that living with arthritis makes running or walking a marathon or doing a challenging hike seem that much easier.

2009 Events:

Oak Brook Half Marathon link to the race's web page
Sunday, August 2, 2009
2nd Annual Event is walker friendly as long as you can clear the first 6 miles at a 16 minute per mile pace due to the portion of the race on roads that need to be reopened.
Click here to Register

Bank of America Chicago Marathon link to the race's web page
Sunday, October 11, 2009
As of June 3rd, our allotment of entries is completely taken. If you register at this point you are on a waiting list and the registration fee paid is NOT refundable. Due to the status of the Chicago Marathon and our signing you up, there is a $600 minimum fundraising requirement due by June 15th. If for some reason our committed runners and walkers can not personally guarantee fundraising or have met their fundraising goals, their spots may become available.
Click here to Register

Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon (Jamaica) link to the race's web page
$3000 minimum fundraising requirement if registration and/or destination arrangments are to be made by the Arthritis Foundation.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Click here to Register

Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon & Goofy Challenge link to the race's web page
$3000 minimum fundraising requirement if registration and destination arrangments are to be made by the Arthritis Foundation.
Saturday & Sunday, January, 2010 - Fundraising deadline or personal commitment by Oct 1, 2009

And many more.... Click here to Register

More Info

Every Joints In Motion participant receives a comprehensive 18-week marathon training program, designed by experienced of coaches. While following the training schedule through the week, teams meet on Saturday mornings for team trainings. Not only is this a chance for you to meet the athletes and become part of the team, you also have access to coach and mentor advice, fundraising information, nutrition tips, water/ Gatorade/nutrition stations and honoree information. In addition, our staff will be out on the path providing you with pacing help and program advice whenever you need it. Trainings are a great way to get to know the team and build a sense of team camaraderie.

Requirements. You must be willing to put one foot in front of the other for upto 7 hours (brisk walk pace) to complete a marathon and that is, of course, only if you have committed to and followed the 18 week training schedule. That's it for the most part. You register yourself and get your self to and from the events. For the events that the Arthritis Foundation has to register you with the events and/or make arrangements for you at the destination there is a fundraising requirement. Please contact us prior to registering here at the Arthritis Foundation if you have any questions.

The Joints In Motion training base is on the city's beautiful Lakefront. Athletes meet at the Totem Pole, which is just south of Irving Park Drive. Stretching and announcements start at 6:45am. Training begin at 7:00 am sharp! In addition to city trainings, the team will be taking "field trips" to forest preserves and running paths throughout the Greater Chicago area. Field trip locations can include some of the following: