What is The Athletes Running for Kids DREAM TEAM?

The Athletes Running for Kids Foundation, otherwise known as the ARK Foundation, is made up of runners who take on the challenge of running a race (any distance race they choose) to help raise pledges to fund the programs of their favorite children's charity. These runners are known as the ARK Foundation's DREAM TEAM.

You are cordially invited to participate in the New York City Marathon without ever leaving the comfort of your

easy chair!

What is The ARK Foundation?

ARK stands for Athletes Running for Kids. It is a non-profit organization founded by Craig Johnson, an ordinary runner who conceived and developed the DREAM TEAM concept while competing in 15 marathons in 10 months of 1988 to raise funds for critically, chronically, or terminally ill children. He dedicated each event that he participated in to a different children's charity. He hoped that other runners would find, as he did, that running for special children is often the extra motivation that helps tired legs keep moving to the finish line.

The ARK serves as a conduit, uniting those runners who would like to help children with the organizations and children that need them. Its purpose is to act as a single conduit for funding a multitude of children's service organizations.

How does the ARK's DREAM TEAM program work?

The ARK Foundation works with national, state and local children's charity organizations. All benefit underprivileged, abused, disabled or critically, chronically, or terminally ill children. Any runner wishing to join the united athletic efforts of the DREAM TEAM simply fills out the Sign Up Form indicating the race he/she/they will participate in, the race date, and the organization they would like to help. The ARK Foundation will then contact you to discuss your information. The ARK Foundation will work with you and the organization you choose to set up a customized donation program to help a child in need. If you would like to help an organization not currently listed on the ARK's roster, please let us know and we will be happy to contact them on your behalf in order to develop a program with them.

Depending on the charity you choose, it is possible to arrange tours of that organization and meet some of the children that will benefit from your efforts. Development of individual relationships between runner and child are encouraged when permitted by the organization involved. DREAM TEAM members often enter their races in the name of a child from the charity they are helping and then donate their finishers t-shirt and race medal to that same child along with a letter describing their experience. This gives the runner an opportunity to make individual contact, to develop a bond with a child. It is in this way that you and the children you run for become a very special team. A team in pursuit of making the dream of a better life for children possible.

Who can join?

Anyone. You don't have to be a professional athlete. All you need is the desire to help a child. Individuals, husband-wife teams, local running clubs, corporate track teams...all are welcome to join the DREAM TEAM and help a child. It's a great way to bring families and club members together to achieve a common goal.

Who wins?

Everyone. Running for kids gives you the incentive to keep training, to meet the challenge of the race you have chosen, to push yourself farther than you might normally. The children learn that they are not alone. Every step run is a step closer to a child's dream.

As long as you are running, why not run for someone? Why not run to help a child?