I’m looking today at a confluence of one of my favorite sports — running — and a worthy pursuit that I have done in the past — fundraising. An energetic woman named Linda Quirk at Run 7 On 7 is leading 300 others in running seven marathons on seven continents and raising pledges to give to Caron treatment centers.
As a runner, I’m thinking: impressive. Lots of discipline embedded in seven marathons. As a former alcohol and drug treatment counselor, I’m thinking: good cause. We could use a couple thousand more treatment centers, even just in the United States.
As a citizen of a small, rapidly warming planet, I’m thinking: Linda, would you please consider paying your way? 300 people each flying about 35,000 miles for a seven-continent tour generates a minimum of 400,000 pounds of carbon emissions (greenhouse gases). That’s more emissions than eight U.S. households generate in an entire year — and we’re the biggest consumers in the world.
While Run 7 On 7 has not asked me for advice, someone needs to speak up for the planet. I’d suggest that this organization buy carbon offsets on each one of the six continents that offsets are sold (we can all agree that not much commerce happens on Antarctica). Remember that global warming disproportionately affects the world’s poor. Paying to offset the emissions created in traveling to seven marathons would inject more conscience and integrity into Linda Quirk’s ambitious Run 7 On 7.
photo courtesy of sto]cal (content unrelated to Run 7 On 7)
As a follower of Linda Quirk and the Run 7 on 7 mission, I would like to offer up my opinion and thoughts…
It appears, Alison, that you have some of your “facts” wrong. Not exactly sure where you received your information from but it is actually only Linda Quirk who is traveling to each of the continents to participate in the 7 marathons, not with 300 others. Although that kind of entourage would definitely bring some much desired press and buzz to the cause, it is simply not the case!
And when you’re discussing the carbon emissions, although certainly now the amount has changed since we are aware that it is one woman, are you stating that the flights to such destinations would not occur without Mrs. Quirk? I assure you, as much of an amazing woman as she is, the airlines would still continue to operate those flights were she not visiting each of those continents.
While global warming may disproportiantely affect the world’s poor, several of the marathons she is participating in give back. One race, the Safaricom Marathon was started with the aim of raising funds for conservation and community projects around Samburu, Isiolo, Laikipia and Meru areas. Not to mention the local people that for the time around the marathon are able to sell their goods and profit from the race.
And although I’m certainly no expert in the effects of global warming, I would venture to say that addicts actively using, buying drugs, living on the streets would somehow affect the world in which we live on a “green” and poverty level. While I don’t believe that we could use several thousand more drug treatment centers, I do think we benefit from having treatment centers already in existence especially ones like Caron. The opportunity that they provide to addicts and their families to change is one that cannot be measured by anything in or of this world.
Linda Quirk is striving to make a difference, raising awareness, and giving back. And for that, it is my humble opinion that she should be supported, not targeted, especially with unsubstantiated “facts”.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Hi Emma,
Thanks for writing in. I don’t yet understand why my husband met a marathon runner here in Portland (not Linda Quirk) who stated she herself was running 7 marathons on 7 continents along with Linda. You may have written a reply to the email address I can’t see from here — I will check it later when I can.
Alison
Linda Quirk started Run 7 on 7 with the idea that she wanted to run 7 marathons on 7 continents as it is an exciting challenge and goal for a runner. She was able to find a company that specialized in “marathon tours”, that arrange trips for marathoners. They have a 7 marathon on 7 continents club. This is where she formed her idea for Run 7 on 7 and was able to use the marathons as a sort of catalyst, setting the lofty goal for herslef to be able to complete all 7 on one calender year.
So while the person your husband met may have been actually physically running with Linda at one of the races, that runner is NOT a part of Run 7 on 7. She may be a part of the same company that organized the trip but she has absolutely nothing to do with the fundraising or the mission. Linda Quirk is one woman attempting to raise a million dollars for a scholarship fund that provides treatment for those unable to pay for it themselves. At her races, she hands out bracelets, hats, and “spreads the word”. Others may decide that they like the idea or want to run the same seven but it is nothing that Linda herself has organized or even knows about.
I appreciate your clarification. It’s just a shame that when an individual searches out Linda’s website or her name, this blog is the third thing that comes up on search engines with the title “Pay your own way?” which could give several impressions and bring questions to Linda’s fundraising and intention.
Thanks.
In my opinion, you may wish to add an apology on your BLOG to Linda Quirk or perhaps delete your negative, misinformed comments. I know first hand what Linda and her quest are all about and your information was completely false. How about an apology?
You seem to be attacking someone for doing good in this world. If you had done your homework, or at least visited the run7on7.com website, you would have noticed that she is doing this by herself. It’s always a good thing for someone to write a factual piece based off hearsay or third party information. Is this the basis you use for all of your work … ask your husband who talked to someone!. We are all trying to leave this world a better place, but picking on someone who has done so much for so many is not the way to go. Perhaps you should donate to her cause or help her raise money by writing a positive and factual piece.
Please see today’s post (Nov. 14, 2008). My first piece praised Linda for raising money for alcohol and drug treatment. I printed your correction . . . . I am curious to see if Linda would like to communicate with me, herself, and/or take responsibility for her carbon emissions. Issues are interrelated.