Liquid Sky 100 Miler for COVID Masks
Donation protected
My name is Rachel Belmont, and I am a 23 year old accelerated nursing student currently enrolled at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only nursing programs across the nation, but our teachers and friends as well. The problem? A severe shortage in PPE equipment throughout hospitals within our tristate area. This has led to situations like, for example, one of our professors recently getting sick, describing the virus as “waves of death” she was not sure she would recover from. This is when I knew I had to do something.
In addition to being a nursing student, I am also a competitive ultramarathon runner and a licensed skydiver. I was originally registered for the Habanero 100 miler this summer, with a goal to add this race to my resume as I attempt to qualify for Badwater 135 within the next couple of years. Although the race is still on, the recent events have shifted my decision to transfer my entry to next year, while running the Blazing 7’s Virtual 100 miler instead, a race also organized by Trail Racing Over Texas. However, I also wanted to use this race as a way to give back to our nurses during this time.
Liquid Sky, one of the most decorated skydiving suit manufacturers within the industry, recently undertook a project that inspired me. They have been doing their best to amend the situation by distributing masks to hospitals throughout the nation. These masks come with a filter and are made of washable and reusable high quality material. Additionally, for every mask purchased, one is donated. The truth is they are donating more masks than profiting from them, doing absolutely everything they can to make a positive difference within the lives of our healthcare warriors. So, here is what I pitched to them: I will run my virtual 100-mile race, within a day on a treadmill-to honor my friends amongst others throughout the world who are strictly confined to their homes. I will also use ALL the money I fundraise to purchase masks from Liquid Sky, which my nursing friends and I will distribute to hospitals throughout the tristate area, where our professors are risking their lives to save others.
Liquid Sky and I both came to an agreement, that for every $20 raised, that will generate 2 masks (1 purchased, 1 donated) so technically, $10 per mask. What I am asking, is to fundraise at least $1000, which will generate 100 masks, for the 100 miles I will be running. My race will take place on May 16th at 6am ET, at my house in Old Bridge, NJ. I will be live-streaming the event through Facebook on my laptop, and my Instagram (@_skyrnr_) on an iPhone. My treadmill and aide station will be set up in my dining room, while my family provides me with typical "race crew" support. Additionally, this will be my 3rd 100 mile run within the past year, as well as the 1-year anniversary of my first 100-mile finish at the Keys 100 last year. My primary goal is to help both my healthcare and skydiving communities, while inspiring runners everywhere to continue training but do so safely. We are stronger together and must unite as communities to help our nurses fight the good fight.
In addition to being a nursing student, I am also a competitive ultramarathon runner and a licensed skydiver. I was originally registered for the Habanero 100 miler this summer, with a goal to add this race to my resume as I attempt to qualify for Badwater 135 within the next couple of years. Although the race is still on, the recent events have shifted my decision to transfer my entry to next year, while running the Blazing 7’s Virtual 100 miler instead, a race also organized by Trail Racing Over Texas. However, I also wanted to use this race as a way to give back to our nurses during this time.
Liquid Sky, one of the most decorated skydiving suit manufacturers within the industry, recently undertook a project that inspired me. They have been doing their best to amend the situation by distributing masks to hospitals throughout the nation. These masks come with a filter and are made of washable and reusable high quality material. Additionally, for every mask purchased, one is donated. The truth is they are donating more masks than profiting from them, doing absolutely everything they can to make a positive difference within the lives of our healthcare warriors. So, here is what I pitched to them: I will run my virtual 100-mile race, within a day on a treadmill-to honor my friends amongst others throughout the world who are strictly confined to their homes. I will also use ALL the money I fundraise to purchase masks from Liquid Sky, which my nursing friends and I will distribute to hospitals throughout the tristate area, where our professors are risking their lives to save others.
Liquid Sky and I both came to an agreement, that for every $20 raised, that will generate 2 masks (1 purchased, 1 donated) so technically, $10 per mask. What I am asking, is to fundraise at least $1000, which will generate 100 masks, for the 100 miles I will be running. My race will take place on May 16th at 6am ET, at my house in Old Bridge, NJ. I will be live-streaming the event through Facebook on my laptop, and my Instagram (@_skyrnr_) on an iPhone. My treadmill and aide station will be set up in my dining room, while my family provides me with typical "race crew" support. Additionally, this will be my 3rd 100 mile run within the past year, as well as the 1-year anniversary of my first 100-mile finish at the Keys 100 last year. My primary goal is to help both my healthcare and skydiving communities, while inspiring runners everywhere to continue training but do so safely. We are stronger together and must unite as communities to help our nurses fight the good fight.
Organizer
Rachel Belmont
Organizer
Old Bridge, NJ