Rain or Shine, the Race Must Go On!

Day two of the OC Marathon started out as another ordinary Sunday – until the weather shifted.  Overcast skies, a strong wind chill, and desolate streets framed the view at Newport Beach’s Fashion Island.  While many slept peacefully, 8,000 others were preparing for the race ahead, including our WHA team.

On behalf of Marketplace Ministries Worldwide (MMW), WHA volunteers, including Bill Hezmalhalch, donated their time at the OC Marathon.  Whether it meant being there Saturday evening to participate in the 5k r ace, Sunday morning to gear up and run those 13.1 or 26.2 grueling miles, or arriving at 3 AM to assist with the Mile 4 Water Station, they showed their support —  even if it meant standing in an unexpected downpour. Spirits and efforts were unaffected; our volunteers outshone the weather.

MMW is a non-profit corporation that addresses one of the greatest needs in the developing world: the means to help people move out of poverty and cultivate their God-given gifts and talents. By creating jobs in regions of great scarcity, such as Mozambique, Cambodia and here in the United States, they endeavor to bring solutions to the problems of poverty, exploitation, and corruption. They provide income, opportunity, and ethical practices as part of their holistic mission, using business as their platform.

Team WHA has supported MMW during the OC Marathon for the last three years.  With two years under our belt at Mile 4 Water Station, we look forward to next year’s race. We raised a total of $40,301.00 and couldn’t have done it alone. Thank you to everyone who participated, but special thanks to those who got drenched by the storm!

OC Marathon 2018, we’re coming for you!

Special thanks to Linsay Hezmalhalch for her contribution.