This Thursday, April 3, at 6pm, Maine Running company is holding a "Fund Run" for the TwoTrials organization for Emily and Maddie LeVan. There is no registration, just show up, donate and run for a good cause.

Two Trials has a goal of raising $52,400 for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Why $52,400? Because Emily is training and running two marathons (2 X 26.2), one for her and one for Maddie, Emily’s 4-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia this past November.

By now, everyone in the Maine Running Community has heard or contributed to Emily's TwoTrials fund, which is currently at $41,074. If you haven't heard of Emily, she is the fastest Maine women's qualifier at 2:37:01, for the U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials to be held on Sunday, April 20th in Boston.

Emily, from Wiscasset, Maine, was the first American woman to finish the 2005 Boston Marathon, which earned her a spot on that summer’s U.S. World Championship team, where she set a personal record of 2:38:32. At the 2006 Boston Marathon, she lowered her PR to 2:37:01 and again was the first American.

Kirsten Barry and Sheri Piers have also qualified when both ran 2:45:37, tying for ninth in Philadelphia, this past October. Both respectible times.

Joan Benoit Samualson is also entered and would be running in her 7th, and what could be her final U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (I don't think I need to elaborate on Joan's accomplishments)!

So this thursday, just show up. We will have stations set up for donations for two trials (every $10 donation will receive a twotrials bracelset) and we will do a 4 mile run/walk around Back Cove. Immediately following will be a presentation by Emily, Kristen and Sheri, discuss their training and personal insights for the trials at Maine Running Company.

As a follow up, on May 13 at 6pm, hear these incredible women runners re-count and give a retrospective on the women's Olympic Trials Marathon race at Peak Performance Multisport.

These athlete's deserve a great send off! Good Luck Girls!!!