“When my wife Nicole and I decided to run Chicago 2025 as our first-ever marathon, it was important that we each support causes near and dear to our hearts. I signed up for Team SCC right away!

I understand deeply the impact of athletics and inclusion for students of all abilities. My high school had a program called Project Outreach, where neurotypical students engaged socially and volunteered with our peers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Though programs like this are thankfully more common now, Project Outreach was then an incredibly unique opportunity and transformational for our community—and I loved being a part of it. The annual field trip to participate in athletic competitions and social events were the highlights, of course, but the day-to-day lunch table chats, classroom enrichment and after school hang-outs were the real moments that had lasting impact. I cherish those memories and draw on our teenage energy and enthusiasm for these programs every time I crawl out of bed at 4:30 a.m. for a run!

After three half marathons and countless 5ks and 10ks, Nicole and I are excited to take on the Chicago Marathon. It means so much to both of us to run for our respective charities (she chose the American Cancer Society) and make this experience impactful far beyond ourselves. We hope this will be the first of many marathons and thousands of dollars raised for the incredible, charitable organizations that make our communities happy and healthy for everyone!”