#91 - Running for a Cause: Tadris Parker Runs to Support The Best You
Keep Calm And Run To The Best You has always been an organization that serves people. Coach Tadris Parker is passionate about running for a cause, and his mission is to help people overcome their own challenges. Whether it’s obesity or physical injury, or it’s autism or other disabilities, Tadris works hard to help out members of his community who could use a hand.
4x4x48 Challenge: Running For A Cause 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight!
Next weekend, Coach Tadris Parker is doing something he’s never done before. His plan is to run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight - and as usual, he’s running for a cause. The funds raised will be used to cut a check to The Faces of Autism and to support his mission to coach and develop other local runners who will eventually join him in running for a cause!
He heard this 4x4x48 challenge from another tough runner named David Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL. This synchronous running challenge is for people in all time zones who will be waking up, running, and resting on a continuous loop for the weekend.
Coach Tadris Parker is looking for amazing people and businesses to sponsor each leg of his running challenge. You can sponsor a puzzle piece to help him pull through and achieve his ultimate goal, and support his dream of helping people to overcome their own challenges.
Especially motivated to help kids with special needs, Tadris Parker recognizes that nonprofits like Faces 4 Autism are in a tough spot due to the current restrictions on gatherings. Many annual fundraising events have been cancelled over health concerns related to coronavirus. “They can't raise money like they used to due to Covid-19 not allowing gatherings. If I can continue to run and raise the funds every little bit counts now more than ever,” Tadris says.
Coach Tadris - Running For A Cause - Schedule
#1 Puzzle Piece - sponsored by Turnovers baby ShOP
Thank you Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney of Turnovers Baby Shop- natural, gender neutral baby clothing!
11pm EST on 3/5 at Atlantic City NJ Boardwalk / Melrose Ave
#2 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Session Arts
Thank you Jen Burke of Session Arts - local art classes and workshops!
3am EST on 3/6 at Coach Tadris Parker’s Neighborhood
#3 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Lolla Chiropractic Center
Thank you Richard Lolla of Lolla Chiropractic Center - supporting spinal health in Galloway NJ!
7am EST on 3/6 at Keep Calm Course in Galloway NJ
#4 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Pampered Chef
Thank you Dawn Lolla at Pampered Chef - quality cookware and healthy meal prep support!
11am EST on 3/6 at Stockton University Track in Galloway NJ
#5 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Faces 4 Autism
Thank you Isabelle Mosca at Faces 4 Autism - supporting and educating the community about autism
3pm EST on 3/6 at Galloway Nature Reserve
#6 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Atlantic City Marathon Race Series
Thank you Atlantic City Marathon/April Fools Half Marathon/Bungalow Beach Boardwalk Run!
7pm EST on 3/6 at Wrangleboro Road in Galloway NJ
#7 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Team Anthony Rocks
Thank you Ray Martinez of Team Anthony Rocks!
11pm EST on 3/6 at Atlantic City/Ventnor NJ Boardwalk
#8 Puzzle Piece - SPonsored By norm mccoy
Thank you Norm McCoy / Front Champ!
3am EST on 3/7 at Coach Tadris Parker’s Neighborhood
#9 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Team Anthony Rocks
Thank you AGAIN to Team Anthony Rocks!
7am EST on 3/7 at Kennedy Park in Somers Point
#10 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Jill Babybirth Doula & Dan burke Door Co.
Thank you Jill Burke of Jill Babybirth Doula & Dan Burke of Dan Burke Door Co!
11am EST on 3/7 at Northfield NJ Bike Path (Jackson Ave)
#11 Puzzle Piece - Team Kyle
Thank you Matt and Katie Ayers, and Traci McCoy!
3pm EST on 3/7 at Stockton University Track in Galloway NJ
#12 Puzzle Piece - For Na'Imah
Thank you Sonia & James Muhammad!
7pm EST on 3/7 at Keep Calm Course in Galloway NJ
Run4Autism in Absecon, New Jersey
Last week, Coach Tadris Parker at Keep Calm And Run To The Best You hosted a virtual/private 5K in support of Faces 4 Autism. This local organization’s mission is to raise autism awareness and support families of children with autism. They host weekly meetings and membership/services are free. Despite it being a cold February in South Jersey, Coach Tadris and several others hit the pavement in Absecon - and it was amazing! It’s always easier to press on through the cold and fatigue when you’re running for a cause. World Autism Day 2021 falls on April 2nd and this is a great way to raise money for the people affected by this disorder.
“Special shout out to Andrea Olley, her son Clay and Julia Popefka for crushing your first 5k with us! Thanks also goes to the members of our program that not only come out for themselves but they came to support the new members. Because of you we were able to create a memory they will never forget!” - Coach Tadris
There are many other organizations and worthy causes that Keep Calm and Run To The Best You continuously supports. Tadris has hosted races for the Field of Dreams in Absecon NJ and Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Race 2019, just to name a few.
Fighting Obesity Around the World
Running for a cause isn’t just a matter of raising money for charity. Tadris is constantly helping people to get healthy and stay in great shape for themselves and for their families. This is the mission of weight loss programs like the Keeping It Real Challenge and weekly running meets and personal accountability check-ins through Keep Calm And Run To The Best You.
Obesity is a terrible condition which shortens a person’s life expectancy. Carrying around 30+ pounds of extra weight categorizes you as obese, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and obesity increases your risk of severe illness. Beyond that, it’s hard on your joints and organs. It can make it hard to breathe, hard to sleep, and you’ll actually feel less energized instead of more.
Food is fuel. If we eat the wrong things, or at the wrong times, or we eat too large of a portion, it does the opposite of providing energy. It drains us, instead. If you’re tired of having an aching back and sore feet and you’re tired of feeling exhausted and irritable, make a decision today to change your life. Whether you’re local to Atlantic County, NJ or you live far away, help is one step away.
Support Coach Tadris in his mission with Keep Calm And Run To The Best You!
Reach out to Coach Tadris and ask him for help with your health journey. No matter your age or your current condition, Tadris can help get you into the best shape of your life! He’ll develop a plan to teach you to eat well, keep a manageable fitness routine, and adopt a positive outlook. He can train you to become a better athlete and help you prepare for a race. He will invite you into a group of dedicated people for uplifting friendships and accountability. You may participate in Run To The Best You group activities, like registering for a 5K or supporting a fundraiser where the team is running for a cause. Let’s get connected and start running the show together!