More novices find a half-marathon is the way to raise funds for a cause

Swati Saxena never considered herself an athlete.

But as a computer chip designer from India who lives in Glendale Heights, she wanted to give back to the poor in her homeland, so she decided to run a half-marathon to raise funds.

"I never thought I could do a full marathon," she said. "The half was a more achievable goal."

The half marathon is the Kilimanjaro to the full marathon's Everest; it's a fan dance compared to the Full Monty; it's birthing quadruplets instead of octuplets.

"The Half" takes a similar commitment, without going to the same extremes. That's why it's gaining in credibility and popularity, particularly for first-time runners and fundraisers.

Several new half-marathons have started in the Chicago area last year and this year, and trainers say more runners are taking advantage of them as alternatives or as practice runs for the Big One.

Saxena, 33, felt good enough after completing a half to realize she could later run full marathons on behalf of Asha for Education, a group that educates poor children in India.

This year, Asha's cause has gotten a boost from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire," which dramatizes the plight of poverty-stricken orphans in India.

Team Asha Chicago has grown 30 percent to 120 participants. About half of them are not experienced runners, and so will start with a 13-mile race. Starting June 13, they'll join training programs in Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Naperville, and Schaumburg.

"Many people who come to us are not runners," organizer Julius Borges said. "They're just regular people who have jobs. If you tell them to run 26 miles, it's kind of daunting."

Beth Onines, who has run a whopping 101 marathons herself, runs training programs for Asha and others in the Alpine Runners Club in Lake Zurich.

"So many people try to do these races that are really not fit enough to do them," Onines said. "And the charities push them to raise money. If they start with a half, they're more able to reach their goal."

An attainable goal

Michael Swisher, who runs training programs for the Chicago Area Runners Association, says half marathons are a great place to start.

"You still have to train for them - you can't fake your way," Swisher said. "It takes time and dedication to build up for it. It's a great place to set some achievable goals."

The beginning fitness requirement for the two races is noticeably different. Most marathon training programs ask participants to have run for a year and be able to jog four to six miles to start.

In contrast, half marathon training only requires being able to cover two miles to start.

Training can be done in 12 weeks, instead of 18, without the three-hour training runs.

The half also can be a good middle-distance for experienced runners who are used to 5- and 10-kilometer races.

The time it takes to run a half is a good barometer of how long it will take someone to run a full. One rule of thumb is to double your time in the half and add 10 minutes.

Most charities help runners by paying their way to enter a race ($125 for the Chicago Marathon, $60 for the half marathon) and to join a training club. They also set up a Web page for each runner to write a personal profile and reasons for running, which he or she can send to family and friends to solicit donations.

Plus, they hold great kickoff parties and recognition dinners. And most importantly, they provide motivation to finish, when everyone you know is counting on you to do it.

In return, runners pledge to raise a minimum amount for the charity. The AIDS Marathon Training Program asks for $1,600, or a whopping $3,500 for an all-expenses-paid trip to the Maui Marathon, though other charities' requirements generally are lower.

If you can't get enough donations, you're expected to cover the difference yourself. Some runners hold fundraising dinners, wine tastings, bake sales and poker nights.

In all last year, more than 7,300 Chicago runners raised nearly $10 million for 110 charities around the world.

Joining a running program can have added benefits besides saving the world and improving your health. A dozen couples have met and gotten married through the Alpine Runners.

Personal causes

Many charity runners take their causes personally.

The third-highest fundraiser for the American Cancer Society so far this year is 44-year-old Andrew Querio of Aurora, who had run for the charity even before his wife got breast cancer and his brother got tongue cancer.

Not satisfied to wait for one race in the fall, Querio is running six races for the Cancer Society this year, five of which are half-marathons or 10-milers.

"Thirteen (miles) is still a very hard personal challenge," he said, "but it's much more forgiving. You can walk away from that race smiling. It's a great workout but a little less painful."

Marc Needlman was never alone when he ran the Chicago Marathon last year.

Not only did he have his charity fundraising teammates with him, he ran the last 300 yards carrying his smiling daughter Mikayla, who has a rare condition called CdLS.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a genetic disorder that often causes developmental disabilities and other challenges.

Needlman, a cancer survivor who runs marathon training for the Chicago Area Runners Association in Libertyville, is used to running 50 and 100 miles at a time in ultramarathons, but says the humble half-marathon remains a great training race for longer distances.

"There's nothing more beneficial than taking your training out on a course and doing a half-marathon," he said. "It tells everybody if they're ready or not."

Getting started

• The Chicago Area Runners Association offers marathon and half-marathon training programs in Wheaton, Bartlett, Libertyville and Chicago. Half-marathon training started May 16, and marathon training starts Saturday, June 13. Call CARA at (312) 666-9836, e-mail info@cararuns.org or visit cararuns.org.

• The Alpine Runners Club offers marathon and half-marathon training at Lake Zurich High School and Busse Woods in Schaumburg starting Saturday, June 13. Informational clinics will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at Dick Pond Athletics, 927 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June3, at Running Unlimited, 451 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the barn in Paulus Park in Lake Zurich, with Chicago Marathon race director Carey Pinkowski. Call training coordinator Beth Onines at (847) 209-8843, e-mail beth@alpinerunners.com or visit alpinerunners.com.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Half marathons and 10-mile runs in Chicago area</p> <p class="News">The Chicago Area Runners Association lists 36 half-marathons and 10-mile runs within driving distance of Chicago this year. Here are a few close to home:</p> <p class="News">Chicago 13.1, Chicago, June 7</p> <p class="News">Downers Grove Park District 5 and 10 Miler, Downers Grove, June 14</p> <p class="News">North Shore Half Marathon, Highland Park, June 14</p> <p class="News">Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk, Chicago, June 27</p> <p class="News">Rock 'N' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, Chicago, Aug. 2</p> <p class="News">Xtreme Trail Run 12k, Palatine, Aug. 8</p> <p class="News">Foot Mechanics Half Madness 13.1, Batavia, Sept. 6</p> <p class="News">Oak Brook Half Marathon, Oak Brook, Sept. 7</p> <p class="News">Crystal Lake Half Marathon, Crystal Lake, Sept. 13</p> <p class="News">Chicago Half Marathon and 5k, Chicago, Sept. 13</p> <p class="News">Lake Zurich Alpine Races (half marathon), Lake Zurich, Sept. 20</p>