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.

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

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.