Run the 1
June 24th, 2025
Goal: $15,000
What that covers: school fees & running costs in 2025/26.
Each year, Shaun Sullivan runs at least a marathon in support of Ubaka U Rwanda. In year’s past, many joined in California, New Hampshire, and all over. These days, the run usually occurs in Rwanda where the kids join as well. While the location has changed, the meaning and goal is the same. WE give love and gratitude to the hundreds of people, and thousands of miles that have been covered on foot over the years.
History of run the 1
During the 2011 fire season, Shaun spent a lot of time thinking about how to effectively fund raise money for his endeavors in Rwanda. He realized that folks who accomplish tough physical feats often portray to people their passion for a cause, thus raising more money. He decided to walk from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco in a weeks time. Claire and Ben made rash and not-thought-out decisions to join Shaun on the journey. The walk was more challenging than they could have expected, but they did the entire thing as they had promised. The walk raised more money than Shaun had ever raised before amounting to over $6,000.
The next fire season, many people showed interest in participating in something again for the cause. Therefore, in 2012 Shaun and over 25 others completed a running relay from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. Some ran half marathons, full marathons, or even multiple marathons. The event was challenged by thunderstorms, flooding, road closures, and even loose charging dogs, but everyone accomplished what they had promised. Over $11,000 was raised, and a matching donor added another $10,000 which brought the total to $21,000.
More motivated than ever; Shaun, previous year's participants, and more friends and co workers will be running and biking each year. They begin in Half Moon Bay and finish at Morro Rock, covering an estimated 220 miles in two days. People will be challenging themselves again with 100+ mile bike rides, 80 mile runs, full and half marathons, along with other activities.
Run the 1 is a very grassroots event with very humble beginnings. Their idea is to communicate their passion for the street children of Rwanda, enjoy the place they live with those closest to them, and to accomplish those things with as few words as possible. Let action speak the loudest.
