EKIDEN! EKIDEN!

Team Georgia had it's first team at the Ekiden Relay last weekend! What a blast! The team consisted of six members and each member had to run a 3.4 mile loop around Piedmont Park. We were not the fastest team, but we were not the slowest either! We were able to raise awareness and have a great time while doing it! I can't wait until next year! Hopefully, we can get a few more Team Challenge teams in the race.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to Angel Whitworth, our amazing endurance manager and heart of Team Challenge Georgia!

Day in and day out, she's a spunky lady .... you never know what she will come up with next!

She's certainly a warrior, too! Angel is so tough, encouraging, and the best support you could ask for!

I think we'll all agree that we prefer our sweet Angel WITHOUT pink hair .... maybe orange would be a nice touch, though!

Team Challenge Georgia is so lucky have Angel on our team! She will be the biggest support as we make our way down the Las Vegas strip and cross the finish line after 13.1 miles! Make sure to wish Angel a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We love you!!!

Introducing .... Catie!

1. What's your name? Catie Helms

2. Are you from Atlanta originally? If not, where did you grow up? Kind of. I've lived here since I was 6, but lived other places before then. I consider myself an Atlantan.

3. What's your occupation? Account Executive for a Cosmetic Brush Manufacturer

4. What's your favorite sports team? Georgia Bulldogs

5. Have you ever played sports, been athletic, run, or participated in a half marathon before?
I played basketball and soccer through high school. Been running on and off for years, but have never run a half marathon before.

6. If there was 1 song playing when you entered into a room, what would it be? This is hard. I would have to say "Let It Rock"

7. What is your favorite food? Another hard one, I love food. My fave is probably pasta or bread. I'm all about the carbs.

8. Have you ever been to Vegas before and what are you looking forward to the most while we're there? Yes, I have been once. I am mostly looking forward to the actual race and completing something amazing.

9. Favorite color? Pink

10. Do you drive the speed limit? No, I speed and can't stand slow drivers.

You can check out Catie's fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/LVCHelms

Introducing .... Amanda!

This segment will help you get to know a little about some of our fabulous participants, mentors, and coaches! We are so lucky to have such a great team!


1. What's your name? Amanda Christine Ramsey


2. Are you from Atlanta originally? If not, where did you grow up? No, I am originally from Perry, KS. I moved to Tampa, FL a little over 8 years ago and lived in FL for 8 years before moving to Atlanta with my husband, Shane, and son, Caleb.


3. What's your occupation? I am a full time mom, wife, homemaker, and volunteer. I work part time at Everybody Wins! Atlanta which is an amazing reading mentor program. I am the school coordinator for 2 of our 10 schools served in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. In addition to that, I also volunteer for various other things (Jr. Great books at my son's school, coaching Girls on the Run, and helping with a cat rescue organization).


4. Do you have an honored teammate? When I started Team Challenge I did not know anyone with Crohn's or Colitis so I picked Matt Capers to be my honored teammate. Since I have started Team Challenge I found out that a girl I went to school with has Colitis and now I feel I am doing this for her as well!


5. Have you ever been to Vegas before and what are you looking forward to the most while we're there? No, I have not been to Vegas before nor has my husband who will be coming along, too. Hmm, let's see, I have many things I am looking forward to! First of all, I am super excited to be participating with an amazing group of people to help find a cure! I am really looking forward to the bonding with the team during this trip. I know we will bond during training and leading up to the trip, but I think there will be even more closeness formed during the trip. I am also looking forward to running my very first 1/2 marathon and can't wait to feel the pride and sense of accomplishment that will come along with that. I am very excited to experience Vegas for my first time with my husband! December is our 5 year wedding anniversary and we plan on getting our vows renewed in one of the little chapels for something fun to do!!


6. What do you miss most about your childhood? What I miss most about my childhood is my brother. He passed away 10 years ago this coming March. We were pretty close and he always included me growing up even though I was 3 years younger!


7. Do you drive the speed limit? No. I pretty much NEVER drive the speed limit. I have a bit of a lead foot and I like to drive fast.

Amanda and her husband, Shane! He recently completed his first 1/2 marathon ... what a great family!

You can check out Amanda's fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/LVARamsey

Big Peach Sizzler 10K .... check!

This past weekend, our team participated in the Big Peach Sizzler 10K! For many participants, this was their very first race and it was a great time! The Big Peach Running Company is a huge sponsor of Team Challenge and we are so lucky to have such a great relationship with the store!

Some of our participants and mentors at the finish line!

For those that did not run in the race, Coach Max led a 4 mile run through Buckhead and down Peachtree Road! No matter how far we're running, we always have a great time!

Our endurance manager, Angel, crossing the finish line! Way to go ... you're looking good!

Team Challenge was a featured charity of the Big Peach Sizzler. They presented us with a check for $2,500! We are so thankful to the Big Peach!

Angel accepting our check at the awards ceremony!

Team Challenge also won an award for the largest team running the race! No matter where we go, Team Challenge GEORGIA is always a force to be reckoned with!

Some participants after the race with our check!

Our season is well under way, and we are having a great time! It's not too late to join us for an awesome season!

And we're off!

Our winter season of Team Challenge has officially started, and it's shaping up to be an amazing season! We have wonderful coaches, mentors, and so many awesome participants so far!

There is still plenty of time to get involved --- join us for a bonus information meeting on September 1st at 6pm at the CCFA office or on September 8th at 6:30 at the Toco Hills Library in Decatur. We'd love for you to be a part of our team!

We held our kickoff party this past weekend at Maggianos and had a great time. We got to meet our coaches, mentors, CCFA staff, and two of our honored teammmates! James did a wonderful job speaking and certainly motivated so many people to help raise money to find a cure for little kids like him!

Our wonderful coaches, Max and Mary!

Our youngest honored teammate, James, gave an awesome speech at our kickoff party!

By the end of our season, this board will be full of honored teammates --- those who are fighting the battle against Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis!