If you have been in the fitness business for any length of time, you are aware that the industry has made raising money to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a top cause since Augie Nieto, co-founder of Life Fitness, was diagnosed with it in 2005 and soon thereafter set up Augie's Quest to raise funds to find a cure through a research organization called ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALSTDI).
You also likely know that Kevin McHugh, COO of The Atlantic Club, has been a leader in organizing the industry to fundraise for this cause.
Well, McHugh is at it again. Augie’s Quest was named a charity partner for the TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 6, and McHugh and his son Conor are running in it as a pilot fundraiser for Augie’s Quest. Also running in the pilot are Caitlin Bellina, whose husband Matt has ALS; Myzone CEO of Asia Pacific Emmett Williams and Zachary Goldman, who is running in honor of a mentor who had ALS.
How much money the five runners raise for this year’s marathon will determine how many slots the Augie’s Quest team will receive in next year’s marathon. The more money raised, the more slots received and the more money the runners could then raise for Augie’s Quest in 2023.
You know your business was impacted by COVID, so you can imagine that fundraising for groups such as Augie’s Quest has also been impacted, and it has, McHugh said.
The TCS New York City Marathon could become a future fundraiser option for the cause, possibly providing between $50,000 to $100,000 in 2023, McHugh said.
So what can you do to help? Go to one or all of the runners’ pages to donate to the cause:
Fundraising ends on Oct. 31, so donate now.
Make sure to root on these five at the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6.
[Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect that Zachary Goldman is running in honor of a mentor who had ALS. The article originally mistakenly reported that he worked for ALSTDI.]