An Oxfam runner proudly shows off her medal after completing the 2010 London Marathon. Photo: Jonathan Evans/Oxfam

Would you run 26.2 miles to fight hunger and poverty? Several Oxfam America supporters will be doing just that in the upcoming 2012 ING New York City Marathon. In the second part of our interview (read part one), team members share some fundraising tips and talk about the extra motivation that comes from racing for a good cause.

How are you getting friends and family involved in your efforts?

Tara Weir: The vast majority of my fundraising has been through social media. I [post] updates on Facebook frequently about my cause and send out emails to family and friends. So far I have had a lot of success! I also have an awesome group of friends and family that are supporting me.

Clara Herrero: I’m writing letters to family and friends as well as posting updates on my training to Facebook and Twitter. Later this month, I’m planning a dinner party for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors—the menu will be food from a country where Oxfam works.  Oxfam works in more than 90 different countries so it’s hard to decide! I will ask everyone attending the dinner to donate $5-$10.

Andrea Henning: I have created a fundraising web page and have been using social media to get the word out. I also have a birthday coming up and plan to ask my friends and family to donate any money that they would’ve spent on a gift and/or celebration to my fundraising campaign.

Why should others dedicate a race or walk to Oxfam this fall, whether the 2012 ING New York City Marathon or another event?

James Hare: Setting a challenging goal and reaching it is immensely satisfying. Doing this while raising money for a good cause is even more satisfying.

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Would you run 26.2 miles to fight hunger and poverty? Several Oxfam America supporters will be doing just that in the upcoming 2012 ING New York City Marathon. In the first part of our interview with the team, they share their reasons for taking on the challenge, plus a few unexpected perks of marathon training.

What inspired you to join Oxfam America’s first ING New York City Marathon team?

Tara Weir, Prince George, BC, Canada: I have always wanted to run a marathon—the New York City marathon in particular. My parents ran it three times in the early ‘90s and called it an “unforgettable experience.” I thought that running for a charity would make it that much more of fulfilling experience. Oxfam is a wonderful organization and I am proud to be a part of its team.

James Hare, Brooklyn, NY: Global poverty is the most persistent and urgent problem facing the world today. I joined Oxfam’s team to support their efforts to end poverty and create a more just world.

Andrea Henning, Minneapolis, MN: Fighting global poverty is a cause that has always been near and dear to my heart, and the New York City marathon was high on my bucket list of races to run during my lifetime. So, when I learned that Oxfam was pulling together a team, I thought that joining would be a great way to raise funds and awareness for an organization that shares my commitment to fighting poverty, hunger, and social injustice while fulfilling a long-time dream of mine.

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