'Get Life' making a run for empowerment

The Chancellor’s Scholars and Leaders “Get Life” team is more than walking the walk when it comes to empowering underrepresented groups through fitness—they’re running the marathon. Jennifer Nelson, CSL office manager in charge of fund-raising and accounting, explains that CSL is holding a six-mile-or-more “marathon within the Denver Marathon” this October.

The “Get Life” team is working with Warren Village to encourage residents to run the marathon, half marathon or relays, she says. Warren Village, a non-profit organization, supports struggling single-parent families by providing transitional housing and child care so parents can work or attend school.

“A couple of women will run entire marathon,” Nelson says. “We have 21 participants from Warren Village so far and we’d like to give a scholarship to each—it kind of depends on how much money we raise.”

So far, so good.

The Cydney and Tom Marisco (CTM) Foundation has donated $10,000 for the effort to go toward scholarships. In addition, all Warren Village race participants will go home with goodies, such as Imperial Headware, Snyder coats and a gift pack from VitaBath.

Runners have already begun preparing for the race, completing strength training classes for the race, Nelson said. Get Life members are gearing up as well. “I think we’re all going to participate in the race,” she said.

Scholarships to be awarded right after marathon. “There will be a big party downtown right after at Cheesman Park,” Nelson said. Warren Village is right on the park, where the race concludes.

Anyone wanting to donate or assist with the race are encouraged visit Get LIFE at www.getlife.squarespace.com, or contact Georg Gadow, CSL sponsor, at Georg.Gadow@cudenver.edu or www.cudenver.edu/csl.