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Racing to Stop Lung Cancer
At the Starting Line
The fall season brings crisp morning miles, pumpkin-spiced everything, and a new Team LUNGevity staffer–Gia Majerus!
Gia is based in Los Angeles and will help support the Team LUNGevity program as we continue to grow. You can meet her in person at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon this fall, or drop her a line at gmajerus@lungevity.org. We’re excited to welcome Gia to the Team LUNGevity family!
Gia is here just in time for a busy fall race season and gearing up for 2026 races, many now open for registration! Plus, there's a Turkey Trot volunteer opportunity in Chicago to give back and have fun on Thanksgiving Day.
Striding forward together,
Katie, Meredith, & Gia
Team LUNGevity Program Managers
On Your Marks
Click the logos to learn more.
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OCTOBER 12 |
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OCTOBER 26 |
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NOVEMBER 2 |
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NOVEMBER 9 SOLD OUT - Race with your own entry |
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DECEMBER 7 |
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MARCH 1, 2026 |
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MARCH 1, 2026 |
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APRIL 26, 2026 |
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MAY 24, 2026 |
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JUNE 19-20, 2026 |
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SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 |
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OCTOBER 11, 2026 |
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BRING YOUR OWN BIB |
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Finish Line Feels
Team LUNGevity is off and running (pun intended) for the fall season!
Chicago Triathlon
August 24
For the third year in a row, Paul DeHaven and David Friedland raced to stop lung cancer at the Chicago Triathlon! Jack Chasteen rounded out the trio, completing his first triathlon in memory of his grandfather.
This team enjoyed a beautiful morning along the Chicago lakefront after training in some brutal summer heat, and they raised almost $4,000!
TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
August 31
Our inaugural team had a phenomenal showing at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS! Thirteen athletes represented LUNGevity at the newest Abbott World Marathon Major and raised nearly $38,000 for lung cancer research and support. Our team included a thoracic surgeon from Taiwan, a former LUNGevity staff member, a cancer survivor with one functioning lung, a mother-daughter duo, and other passionate athletes racing in honor and memory of their loved ones. Check out more photos here! 📸
BMW Berlin Marathon
September 21
Our second year at the BMW Berlin Marathon was a huge success despite being one of the warmest race days on record. Eleven athletes represented Team LUNGevity and raised over $40,000! Seven of them were repeat participants, many of them checking off another race toward their 6-star dreams. The team included athletes racing in honor and in memory of spouses, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.
Check out this highlight of Elisha-Rio, who races in memory of her dad.
Duluth Women’s 10-Miler
September 27
Lung cancer survivor Caitlin Quinn dedicated her miles to lung cancer research at the Duluth Women’s 10-Miler where, instead of medals, participants receive a necklace handmade by a local artisan! A Duluth native, Caitlin has run this race every year since its inception. She is also a yearly participant in Grandma’s Marathon. Follow her new account @lung_runner on Instagram, where she is a Grambassador promoting the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon next year and raising awareness for lung cancer!
Life Time Chicago Half Marathon & 5K presented by HOKA
September 28
Members of Team Daniels participated in both the 5K and half marathon while raising $4,850! In addition, Chelsea Perschon completed her third Life Time Chicago Half Marathon and sixth Team LUNGevity event. Congratulations to this incredible team!
B.Y.O.B.
Fundraising Inspiration
These Team LUNGevity athletes are putting the fun in fundraising by hosting a variety of exciting events!
Stephen Hicks partnered with the Beer Garden at Barts, a local business in Windsor, CT, for a give-back night and cornhole tournament where they donated 15% of sales to LUNGevity. It was a hole lotta fun!
Cindy Benfield hosted a Books & Booze event at her home, gathering pre-loved titles from Facebook sellers and her own shelves. Plus, every book purchase (or $5 donation) earned the buyer an entry into a giveaway for a free week pass to a local sauna—generously donated by a friend! It was a novel way to raise funds!
Angie Linares hosted a Bingo Night at Meyers Brewing Company in Philadelphia. Tickets to the event sold for $20 each and included five bingo cards, plus the chance to win raffle prizes donated from local businesses. Everyone had a ball!
Josh and Jenene Vernon turned their summer yard sale into a fundraising opportunity. In addition to selling things of their own, they reached out in local Facebook groups asking for donations of items to sell. The check-out table included baked goods and cuddles from their biggest supporter, Lincoln the dachshund. This duo really went the extra yard!
Volunteer With Us
LUNGevity is partnering with the 2025 Chi Town Turkey Trot 5K & 10K as the official charity, and we need your help!
When: Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day), 7:15–11:00 am
Where: DuSable Harbor, 111 N Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
We are looking for at least 30 enthusiastic volunteers to help make race day a success. Whether you're helping with registration, managing water stations and post-race food tents, or handing out medals, there’s a role for everyone! All volunteers will receive a free event t-shirt and safety vest as a thank-you for your time and support.
Make it a family affair! The minimum age to volunteer alone is 15, but those under 15 can still volunteer with adult supervision.
Running Tallies for 2025
Shout-out to Rachael Millanta, Lucian Cioata, and Josh and Jenene Vernon for participating in The Long Run, a 20-mile training run hosted by Fleet Feet Training x Chicago Endurance Sports. We can’t wait to cheer you on at the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!
