I originally joined Team Challenge to run my first half marathon and to do it correctly. I knew that I would be running for a good cause, but what I didn't know was that I would meet such wonderful people, have fun, and participate in an experience that has changed my life forever! - Rachel, Las Vegas 2012

I joined Team Challenge the inaugural Napa season because I loved wine and hated running.  I hoped my love of wine would keep me motivated enough to complete the running portion of the commitment.  (I also have Crohn's and wanted to help raise funds.)  Since that season, I have completed 8 half marathons (four with TC) and one full.  To say it was life changing is a complete and total understatement.  I have made lifelong friends, vastly improved my health and now I also love running (though I still love wine more) - Samantha, 4 time alumni

Team Challenge is all about opportunity!  Be a part of a team, take advantage of professional coaching, get fit, lose weight, set goals and surpass them, meet great people, offer support and get some in return and do it all while helping raise money for a great cause!  I walked a half marathon in beautiful Napa, CA, raised more money than I ever imagined, made some new friends and inspired my daughter, who has Crohn's Disease, to join me in Vegas 2013.  Team Challenge has been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life! - Pat, Proud Member of the 13.1 Club thanks to Team Challenge

Diagnosed as a teenager, I lived with Crohn’s disease for nearly a decade before (thanks to Team Challenge); I was able to “escape the stall”.   As a chronically active person, I am often in the mountains, on my bike or running.  I came to Team Challenge for an excuse to run another half marathon as well as out of a sense of duty to raise awareness for IBD. Team Challenge has become the support system I didn’t even know I needed! It is truly inspiring to train with a team and watch teammates improve and reach goals, all with the knowledge that every mile we run and walk is raising needed funds to help patients like me. - Annie, Mentor & 3x Alumni

When I was diagnosed with UC in 2001 I thought my days of doing any endurance events (I had been doing three day walking events) were over.  But Coach Chris and Coach Jenny were fabulous and patient and showed me I could go farther with my UC than I ever thought I could.  When I crossed the finish line I felt like I had won and I had, I had won over UC. - - Marge McDonald, Team Challenge New England Alum Vegas 2010 and Vegas 2011

I came to an information meeting to learn more about Team Challenge, because as a patient who is healthy, I wanted to find a way to give back to the foundation that was there for me upon diagnosis.  I left that meeting, committed to run a half marathon, and could not have imagined what would have come out of it.  It is just over 2 years after that meeting and I have completed 5 Half Marathons, 3 as part of Team Challenge, serving as a mentor twice.  I have made life-long friends, and have had a life changing experience.  My wife now understands what could be, as she has never seen me at my worst, and is just as driven as I am to support Team Challenge to find a cure.  I am a different person now, then when I showed up at that information meeting in August 2010, and cannot be happier about it and thank Team Challenge enough. - - Ben Weiss Team Challenge Alum Vegas 2010 and Mentor Vegas 2011 and Napa 2012

When I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1999... I had no idea how much my life was going to change... for the better!  It took a while for me to figure out how to live with Ulcerative Colitis but eventually... I figured it out and one day about 9 years after I was diagnosed... I discovered an advertisement for the Team Challenge program.  The rest is history!  This program had my name written all over it!  Team Challenge has pretty much changed my life.  It has given me the confidence to realize that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself.  Now one of my favorite quotes is... "If you believe... you will achieve!"  It's true!  This program keeps me healthy and it is super rewarding.  I feel great about being able to give back to the Foundation plus... I have met the most amazing people through the Team Challenge program who have become my closest friends!  We are all working toward the same goal... finding a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. - Leigh Stein, National Team Alum and Pittsburgh Coach