From England to Chicago, Great-Aunt's Love Runs Strong

By: Michael Izzo

Name: Maggie Unger
Age: 64
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Occupation: Mediator for IL State Board of Education
Team Reeve event: 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Maggie Unger's motivation to participate in the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is an entire ocean away in England. After a fall from a jungle gym in 2010 resulted in a spinal cord injury (SCI) for Unger's 9-year old great niece Annabel, Unger, 64, said she wanted to do everything she could to raise money for those living with SCI.

That's where Team Reeve comes in. After searching the web for organizations that were involved in research for spinal injury, Unger discovered Team Reeve and found out they had a team competing in the Chicago Marathon. Since finding and joining Team Reeve, she has raised her donation goal from $500 to $1600, and she's almost reached it already. She hopes to exceed that number as well.

Fundraising and training
This will be Unger's second marathon, the first taking place January 2009 in Scottsdale, AZ which she ran with Team in Training for a friend with lymphoma, so she is no stranger to raising money for a race.

Unger says that fundraising is easier than the training for this marathon because the personal component of her great-niece Annabel "has touched people's hearts." As for advice for others looking to raise funds, she says to make the appeal as personal as possible, and to let others know that every little bit counts.

Unger describes her plan for the marathon as "walking with short bursts of running" adding that she is a fast walker and has shaved over a minute off of her mile time in preparation for the race. Her training consists of run/walking a couple miles each day, including a timed six to seven miles a week. She also includes simple activities like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking her dog, and doing pilates. Her goal is to finish in less than five and a half hours, but will be content as long as she crosses the end line in under six.

A family matter
Living so far away presents a challenge when it comes to visiting Annabel, though she talks with her brother, Annabel's grandfather, about her on a regular basis. "I hope to talk with her as soon as I cross the finish line."

Joining Unger on her run is her daughter, Charlotte Ellenbogen, 39, also a member of Team Reeve. Both will be wearing shirts with Annabel's face on the front for the marathon. "Just seeing her face on my shirt every single time I train is driving me," she says. "If Annabel can display such outstanding determination and courage in the face of her enormous challenges, I can give my all to training and crossing the finish line."

Look for Maggie Unger and the rest of Team Reeve in the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9th.

To make a donation for Unger's run, go here.

Learn more
Inspired by Maggie's story? Want to join Team Reeve? You don't have to be an athlete to become a member. Click here. 
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