Here We Go Again... For the past 4 years I have been trying to do whatever I can to make you aware of the ongoing water crisis and need for clean water in the developing world. You have been listening. I can tell because your generous support has generated approximately $40,000 for World Vision’s clean water projects. You have stuck with me through some ridiculous antics such as the Rick Roll Run where I listened to Never Gonna Give You Up on repeat during a long run. Then there was the Meat Loaf Marathon with I Would Do Anything For Love on repeat for 6+ hours during the 2022 Chicago Marathon. Who can forget that? I can’t, I’ve tried. If the psychological challenges were not enough you supported and encouraged some food challenges during some of the 13 mile training runs. First was the Baker’s Dozen, 13 miles with a donut per mile. The next year I had to one up it with 13 White Castle Sliders and the Slider Run. Then, the most painful of all came this past year with the Hot Chicken Challenge. 12 of the hottest chicken wings on the market and one Nashville Hot Chicken Strip known as “Insanity”. To top it all off and bring this past year to a close you opened up your hearts and your wallets again to see me run 20 miles in a Chicken Suit along the Chicago Lakefront while being chased by the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show. It is at this point that I need to reflect on my life choices and ask myself a few questions. What if I were to just focus on my training rather than all of these ridiculous distractions? How much time would I be able to shave off of my PR (Personal Record) if I were to do that? Wouldn’t the training season go so much better if I were to just stick to the plan and train? Do I regret all of that time wasted with foolishness? Then I just laugh. I REGRET NOTHING! If I had the chance to go back and do marathon training differently, would I? Nope! If I were to do it all again, would I make any changes? Nope! Or, at least, not really. I would still have to one up myself. You see, I do have a chance to do it all again. I have signed up to train for, run, and raise support for World Vision again 2024. There is a little twist. Due to an anticipated work trip that would conflict with the Chicago Marathon I have signed up for the Madison Marathon in Madison, Wisconsin on November 10, 2024. FAQ Is Wisconsin ready for all I have to offer? We will find out. Will there be ridiculous challenges to gain your attention and hopefully encourage you to give to World Vision?I think the only real question there is whether or not I will be able to one up myself. In other words, YES! Can you start giving now? I’m glad you asked. Yes, my page is now live. It is like I always say, “Give early and give often”. In fact, once you recover from your Thanksgiving Turkey Coma, on Giving Tuesday, the first $400,000 in donations will be matched starting at 8:00 am Central Time What happens to kids in the developing world without access to clean water? More than 800 children under age 5 die every day from diarrhea caused by contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper hygiene. But we believe the global water and sanitation crisis can be solved within our lifetimes.

Fortunately the day of the Chicken Suit Run was nice and cool. It would have been a nice day to run for anyone not wearing a Chicken Suit. That thing did not breathe at all. As you can see in the picture below we hit both of our goals. $10,000 raised for me to wear the chicken suit and an additional $2,000 for my friend, Rob, to wear the Swedish Chef costume. We got a lot of comments from other people on the run but mostly random confused stares.

Thanks again for your willingness to take part in these ridiculous antics but even more for your commitment to see lives changed and progress being made toward ending the world's water crisis.

Hot Chicken Challenge 2 - Revenge of the Chicken

For years the humble chicken has sat back and said nothing as you carelessly took its eggs to scramble with a side of bacon for your breakfast. They watched in horror as you took their family members, ripped them apart, battered, deep fried, and covered them with hot sauce. That all changes now. The chickens have had enough and are about to have their revenge. On Saturday, September 16, 2023, this giant chicken will take over the Chicago Lakefront. Your donations will determine whether this chicken will stay in its cage or flys the coop in order to enact his revenge. As I write this we are a little over $1,000 away from $10,000 raised this season for clean water projects. If we hit that $10,000 before September 16 this chicken will be busting out of his cage and onto the Chicago Lakefront. You can make that happen. Your gift, of any amount, will get us one step closer to seeing that happen. I am going to be looking for some movement toward that goal so I can confidently place an order for that Chicken Suit and guarantee it gets here on time. Just when you thought you’ve heard it all I have received a couple of pieces news that may change this up a bit. First, I had no expectations of another donation match so soon. But that is exactly what we are faced with. This Thursday, September 14, starting at 8:00am Central Time/9:00am Eastern Time, the first $100,000 in donations to World Vision’s Clean Water Projects will be matched. That means if you have been thinking to yourself, “I have been meaning to get that donation in” there is no better time than Thursday Morning. It also means that if you had no intention of donating, you now have until Thursday Morning to change your mind. Then, there is no better time than Thursday morning to get that donation in. There is a third option. Maybe you have already given and really want to do the greatest amount of good with your charitable giving or just really like the thought of someone running along the Lakefront in a Chicken Suit. For you too, Thursday morning is the right time. At the time of writing this I am still about $1,000 away from from the $10,000 needed for me to run 20 miles along the Chicago Lakefront wearing a Chicken Suit. The suit has been purchased and is just waiting to make its appearance on September 16. The power is in your hands to determine if that will really happen. But wait… There’s more… Secondly, do you think my $10,000 goal is too low? My friend, Rob Mayer did, and he decided to do something about it. Rob is willing to put his dignity and a casual “easy” 20 mile run on the line. To add to this challenge, if we hit $12,000 total raised before Saturday, September 16, not only will I be running that day wearing a Chicken Suit, Rob will run chasing me dressed as the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show. A Giant Chicken being chased by the Swedish Chef along Chicago’s Lakefront, doesn’t get much better than that.

Hot Chicken Challenge

Well, The Hot Chicken Challenge was a success. The chicken was just as hot and painful as you might imagine but we got through. When my Doctor said I could eat chicken on my new diet I am pretty sure this is what she had in mind.

By now most of you know I have committed to run the Chicago Marathon again in October. Once again, I will be running with World Vision to raise awareness and support for their work in bringing clean water to those that are desperately in need in the developing world. 

If you are reading this you probably fall into one of the two categories below. 

1. You are the type of person that cares deeply about others. You value equity and justice. You believe all people, no matter who they are, where they live, their economic status... deserves the right to the certain basic necessities of life such as, shelter, food, and of course, clean water. You don’t need to play silly games to donate to causes you care about. If this is you, you should probably just stop reading now. Go to the bottom of this page and make your donation to World Vision to help provide clean water to those that are desperately in need. You are indeed a beautiful person. 
2. Then there are the rest of you. Of course, you care about others but that is not why you continued reading this. You want to see how far I will go to get your attention and bring awareness to you about the world's water crisis. You want to find out if there is anything I can do to top the 13 mile baker's dozen donut run or the 13 mile Slider run. Well, if this is you, you are in luck. Keep reading. I want to get an early start on this challenge to give you plenty of time to get your donations in since there is one very large variable that is entirely controlled by you and how much you give between now and our 13 mile training run on July 29, 2023 

The Plan 

13 Mile Run 

12 Buffalo Wild Wings, 1 per mile for the first 12 miles. 

1 Nashville Hot Chicken Strip from Fry The Coop, the grand finale after completing mile 13. 

The Variable 

The intensity of the heat is determined by the amount given to World Vision’s clean water projects. At the time I am writing this your generous donations have brought in $2,790. The Hot Chicken Challenge run will be confirmed and activated when we reach $4,000. Then, with each additional $1,000 the intensity of the spice will move up on the Scoville Scale. I should probably add that all of the wings will be bone in. As we all know, a boneless buffalo wing is really just a nugget. 

1. $4,000 - $5,000 - 6 "Sweet BBQ" wings; 6 "Teriyaki" wings; 1 "Mild-Taste the Flavor" chicken strip 
2. $5,001 - $6,000 - 6 "Medium" wings; 6 "Honey BBQ" wings; 1 "Medium - Feel the Heat" chicken strip 
3. $6,001 - $7,000 - 6 "Asian Zing" wings; 6 "Caribbean Jerk" wings; 1 "Hot - Feel the Burn" chicken strip 
4. $7,001 - $8,000 - 6 "Hot BBQ" wings; 6 "Hot" wings; 1 "Crazy - Call 911" chicken strip 
5. $8,000+ - 6 "Wild" wings; 6 "Mango Habanero" wings; 1 "Insanity - (R.I.P.)" chicken strip 

But wait, there’s more! 

$10,000+ - 13 mile run, 12 ridiculously hot chicken wings, 1 painful Nashville Hot chicken strip… All while wearing a chicken costume and listening to the “The Chicken Dance” song on repeat the entire time. And, if we do hit $10,000 with enough time before July 29, 2023, I can certainly add to the challenge to see what else we can bring in. 

There you have it. Over the top? Maybe, but that is what I do. Some people can sing, sell something, or offer you some sort of needed service in exchange for donations. We all have various talents and are gifted in different ways. Since I can’t sing and I have nothing of value to sell you are left with what I do have, the ability to something absolutely ridiculous to help encourage you to give to this worthwhile cause. 

Has it worked yet? If so, click on the link below to make that donation. If you are not convinced yet, ask me why I run and I would love to tell you more.

https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/georgeroach2023 

If you are not able to give at this time I am grateful for your encouragement and support in other ways. Plus, there will be plenty of more opportunities throughout the summer.

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