Three and half years ago, I found myself running through the National Parks of Utah, elated to be on my annual Iron Phi running trip that had become a staple in my life. I was in my zone. What started as harebrained idea back in 2012, became an annual holiday for me; An opportunity to turn my love for travel and running into a journey with impact on the ALS and Phi Delta Theta communities. Along the way, I was able to bring many friends with me, strengthening relationships, having fun, and exposing them to the amazing joys of exploration with a purpose.
Then, COVID happened. The pandemic threw a wrench in all of our lives, including mine, and other things took priority as we tried to figure out the unknown. Unfortunately, the annual running trip was one of those things that was placed on the back burner. So much has changed since 2019, but one thing hasn’t – my desire to get back in my shoes and make the running trip a staple again.
So, here we are. The Iron Phi running trip is back in 2023, and I want to do it in style! This will be my ninth running trip, and it will incorporate much of my travel from May-December. I’ll be combining the traditional week of exploration in one area this May (Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Olympic National Park), with my work travel surrounding the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award this summer (San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta), and topping it off with international flare over the Christmas holiday (Paris, Germany, London, Lisbon).
A common theme of my running trips has been to share the experience with others, and this year’s will be no different. My wife Tillie and long-time friend and boss Sean Wagner will be joining me in the Pacific NW, I’ll get to share the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award travel with many awesome friends, family members, and colleagues, and the international travel will have my wife, kids, and sister-in-law Jadee’s family by my side.
The Goal:
Visit 150 landmarks in 6 countries during my 2023 travels (and runs), recognize a donor at each, and raise $6,000+ for Iron Phi in the process.
The Cause:
I will once again be raising funds for Iron Phi, a program I helped develop at Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity to support Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) research while developing college men through leadership training opportunities. Since 2010, 8,300+ individuals have signed up for Iron Phi, 1,600+ have become Iron Phis (raised $1,000 and achieved an athletic event), and we’ve collectively raised $3.47 million. It’s been an amazing (and quite fulfilling ride).
Iron Phi now works hand-in-hand with The Live Like Lou Foundation, an entity that Phi Delta Theta has helped scale to a national scope. My friend and mentor Neil Alexander and his wife Suzanne started Live Like Lou in Pittsburgh when Neil was diagnosed with ALS, and they did many amazing things, including funding the creation of the Live Like Lou Center for ALS Research at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute. Neil wanted Live Like Lou to be a national organization, and I have the honor of working every day with the Live Like Lou team to make this dream a reality and Leave ALS Better Than We Found It. We’re making amazing impact to support families affected by ALS, fund ALS research to find treatments or cures for Lou Gehrig’s disease, and honor Lou Gehrig’s legacy.
My fundraising goal for this year’s running trip is $6,000+, nearing $37,500 raised during these trips over the years.
To celebrate the generosity of those who donate, I’ll be continuing the scavenger hunt approach. Below is a list of all the locations (150 to be exact) that I will attempt to visit this year. In return for a donation, you’ll get a picture of me with a personalized thank you sign that recognizes you in front of a landmark during that run. I will be blogging throughout the year, and my posts will include the pictures thanking donors. Make sure to include which landmark you want to support when you make your donation. Runner’s Choice stops are in-the-moment landmarks that are spontaneous. I can’t wait to thank you!
You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the “Make a Donation” link below my fundraising total. You can also send a check made out to Iron Phi to me if you’d rather donate that way. Message me on Facebook for my address.
The Schedule:
Sunday, April 30 – A Trip Around Olympic National Park
- Washington State Capitol – Taylor & Haley Abel
- Hoh Rain Forest – Josh Ehlen
- La Push Beach – Linda Carlson
- Kurt Cobain’s Childhood Home – Tyler Wear
- Rialto Beach – Andy Tu
- Olympic National Park Sign – Roger Heineken
- Lake Crescent – Tiffany Conrad
- Olympic National Park – Bret Zimmerman
- Runner’s Choice – Brad & Mindy Carlson
- Runner’s Choice – Lawrence & Brandy Cunningham
- Runner’s Choice – Bryan & Kristin Pates
Monday, May 1 – Tacoma, Washington
- Museum of Glass – Dylan Berg
- Chihuly Bridge of Glass – Bill & Lindy Good
- Union Station – Mike & Deb Sedlacek
- Old City Hall – The Purdys
- Graffiti Garages – Debbie Smith
- McMenamin’s Elks Temple – Evan Newman
- Stadium High School – Keith & Susan Berg
- University of Puget Sound – Joe Newland
- Point Ruston – The Etlers
- Point Defiance Park – Japanese Garden – Jennifer Morrow
- Snoqualmie Falls – Bill Wittress
- Runner’s Choice – Elissa Christmas
- Runner’s Choice – Nolan Pattee
- Runner’s Choice – Myra Durtitsch
Tuesday, May 2 – Seattle, Washington
- T-Mobile Park – Mariners – Scott Lynch
- Lumen Field – Seahawks – The Longneckers
- King Street Station – The Jensens
- Chinatown – Brad & Lindsay Klein
- Pioneer Square – Debbie Smith
- Central Public Library – David McDonald
- Seattle Great Wheel – Roger & Paula Griffith
- Gum Wall – Don Schenk
- Pike Place Fish Market – Scott Lynch
- Original Starbucks – Wendy Faust
- Seattle Waterfront – Janine Kock
- Olympic Sculpture Park – Nolan Pattee
- Space Needle – Mike Hyatt
- Climate Pledge Arena – Kraken – The Wechslers
- Queen Anne/Kerry Park – Randy & Lori Good
- Runner’s Choice – The Etlers
- Runner’s Choice – Lawrence & Brandy Cunningham
- Runner’s Choice – The Loonsfoots
Wednesday, May 3 – Seattle, Washington
- Capitol Hill – The Jensens
- Fremont Troll – Mike Scarlatelli
- University of Washington – John & Susan Klein
- Husky Stadium – Bill Wittress
- George Washington Bridge – Janine Kock
- Volunteer Park – Taylor & Haley Abel
- Bruce and Brandon Lee Grave Sites – William Ramsey
- Gas Works Park – Kevin Marks
- Green Lake Park – Mike & Deb Sedlacek
- Lake Union – Randy & Lori Good
- Runner’s Choice – Andrew Cole
- Runner’s Choice – Taylor & Haley Abel
- Runner’s Choice – Drew Miller
- Runner’s Choice – Chris Shrader
- Runner’s Choice – Jamie & Andrea Beard
Thursday, May 4 – Vancouver, British Columbia
- Museum of Vancouver – Joe & Jessica Vonsak
- Granville Island Giants – Andrew Norrie
- The Birds – The Purdys
- Science World – Nicholas Scalice
- Trans Am Totem – Mike & Debbie Purdy
- Rogers Arena – Canucks – Jami Touney
- Jimi Hendrix Shrine – Brad & Kelly Becker
- Chinatown – The Etlers
- Hotel Europe – The Jensens
- Gastown – Mario Villa
- Spiral Staircase to Nowhere – Debbie Smith
- Gastown Steam Clock – Kerrie Herren
- Marine Building – Dean & Carla Breneman
- Orca Whale Statue at the Convention Center – Janine Kock
- A-Maze-Ing Laughter – Bill & Lindy Good
- The Seawall – Jay Longnecker
- Stanley Park – Girl in a Wetsuit Statue – Adam & Lindsey Good
- Runner’s Choice – Lawrence & Brandy Cunningham
- Runner’s Choice – Mike & Deb Sedlacek
Friday, May 5 – Vancouver, British Columbia
- University of British Columbia – Ryan Boatman
- Wreck Beach – Dean & Carla Breneman
- Pacific Spirit Regional Park – Scott Mietchen
- Museum of Anthropology – The Loonsfoots
- Jericho Beach Park – Allan Williams
- Cambie Climbing Tree – Andrew Nurse
- Capilano Suspension Bridge – Andy Tu
- Capilano Salmon Hatchery – Cory & Jennifer Hanson
- Grouse Grind – Kyle & Ashley Schilling
- Lions Gate Bridge – Josh Ehlen
- Horseshoe Bay – Randy & Lori Good
- Lynn Canyon – Suspension Bridge – Tim Bell
- Runner’s Choice – Travis & Steph Griffith
- Runner’s Choice – Joe & Jessica Vonsak
- Runner’s Choice – The Moyers
- Runner’s Choice – The Woods
- Runner’s Choice – Rich Hansen
Summer – Baseball Stadiums
- Oracle Park – San Francisco Giants – Alex Stefanic
- Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles Dodgers – Colin Hueser
- Busch Stadium – St. Louis Cardinals – Sparky Reardon
- Truist Field – Atlanta Braves – Jeremy Sale
- Chase Field – Arizona Diamondbacks – Drew Miller
- Guaranteed Rate Field – Chicago White Sox – Jonathan & Emily Hernandez
December 17-19 – Paris, France + Germany
- Eiffel Tower – Ryan & Nicole Galles
- Notre Dame Cathedral – Tom & Colleen Good
- The Louvre – Andrew McGuire
- Arc de Triomphe – DAWG Davidson
- Avenue des Champs-Élysées – Katie Jacobs
- Seine River – Stephen Bloomer
- Parisian Café – Chris Loschiavo
- Moulin Rouge – Ben Fleming
- Sacré-Coeur – Keith Wysocki
- Montmartre – Tyler Cronk
- Luxembourg Garden – Stephen Bloomer
- Latin Quarter – Ben Fleming
- Panthéon – Chris Loschiavo
- Pont Alexandre III Bridge – Linda Carlson
- German Christmas Market – Brad & Mindy Carlson
- Spangdahlem U.S. Air Force Base – Mike & Debbie Purdy
- Drinking German Beer – Bret Zimmerman
- Eating German Food – Brad & Mindy Carlson
- Runner’s Choice – John Read
December 24-26 – London, England
- Big Ben/Palace of Westminster – Rob & Julie Waltz
- Tower Bridge – Marc & Jennifer Mores
- London Eye – Allan Hammell
- Hyde Park – Jim Rosencrans
- Tower of London – Josh Ehlen
- Buckingham Palace – Tom & Colleen Good
- Westminster Abbey – Tom & Colleen Good
- Borough Market – Kyle Prager
- Regent’s Park – Laura Voisin George
- Trafalgar Square – Mike Hyatt
- The Underground – Andy Tomka
- Piccadilly Circus – Mike Hyatt
- Shakespeare Globe Theatre – The Wechslers
- Abbey Road – Sparky Reardon
- Original Hard Rock Cafe – Nat Love
- Wembley Stadium – Chris Loschiavo
- Eating Fish & Chips – Kevin Marks
- Drinking in a Pub – Andrew Laporte
- Runner’s Choice – Robbie Marsden
- Runner’s Choice – Andrew Norrie
- Runner’s Choice – Debbie Smith
- Runner’s Choice – Lawrence & Brandy Cunningham
- Runner’s Choice – Jason Brannon
December 28-30 – Lisbon, Portugal
- Belem Tower – Josh Ehlen
- Time Out Market – Mike & Deb Purdy
- Tram 28 – Mark Pleiss
- St. George’s Castle – Andrew Carlson
- National Palace – Mike & Deb Sedlacek
- Lisbon Cathedral – Robbie Nunes
- Praca do Comercio – Andrew Norrie
- Monument to the Discoveries – The Purdys
- Eating Pasteis – Ross & Megan Roti
- Rossio Square (Praça de Dom Pedro IV) – Ross & Megan Roti
- Santa Justa Elevator – Shane & Jenna Omann
- Alfama Quarter – Andy Tu
- Barrio Alto Quarter – The Jensens
- Convento do Carmo – Adam & Lindsey Good
- Jeronimos Monastery – Bronk & Jessica Harms
- Lisbon’s Tiled Buidlings – Tim Bell
- Runner’s Choice – Lawrence & Brandy Cunningham
- Runner’s Choice – Matt & Jessi Good
- Runner’s Choice – Jay Longnecker
- Runner’s Choice – Aaron & Lindsey Good
- Runner’s Choice – Travis & Steph Griffith
- Runner’s Choice – Fred Reimer
I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure by supporting me in my journey. Your donations will be put to great use, helping us battle ALS and supporting college-aged men as they become the greatest version of themselves.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Steve
A Good Run 