To Kristen Latzke, completing her first virtual half marathon is about much more than just running. She is running with an additional purpose.
With a passion for conserving our globe’s wildlife and ecosystems, Kristen has been volunteering with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) for four years. Founded in Namibia in 1990, the CCF is an internationally recognized organization working for the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems. Kristen and the CCF are working to develop the best practices in research, education, and land use to benefit all species. The CCF is partnering with the 500 Festival as part of the Mini with a Meaning program for the 2020 Virtual OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The Mini with a Meaning program gives participants the opportunity to raise awareness and funds in support of a non-profit organization.
Kristen has loved cheetahs her entire life. In fact, her maiden name, Tschida, is pronounced just like cheetah. However, her interest in animal conservation truly sparked her senior year of college. Dr. Lauri Marker, the founder and executive director of CCF, spoke at her school. This ignited a passion, leading Kristen to work with many different conservation organizations in the following years. Since traveling to Africa was not feasible for Kristen, she discovered that CCF has chapters all over the world to support the work being done in Namibia. Together, she and two other volunteers created the Indiana chapter of the CCF. Since working with this organization, Kristen has wanted to set up a race to benefit the cheetah. A running event is symbolic not only for an animal that is known for running, but also one that is racing against extinction.
In partnership with the Mini with a Meaning program, the CCF’s goals are to inspire change and ignite passion for the cheetah. Kristen’s hope is that is that the Indy Mini and Mini with a Meaning gives the CCF the opportunity to show that no matter where we live, we can make an impact halfway across the globe. With the Indy Mini now a virtual race, this example of creating an impact from anywhere truly stands. Kristen and four other CCF teammates will be participating from Indianapolis and one will be running in Bloomington.
This will be Kristen’s first half marathon, getting out of her usual comfort zone of running 5Ks. Though she will miss having the “race atmosphere,” there is no stopping Kristen. She has found confidence in approaching this challenge through her passion for CCF. Kristen is also motivated by the incredible CCF volunteers that are supporting her, running with her, and donating their time and talent to CCF. She is also looking forward to the support of friends and family by sharing her race route so they can distantly cheer her on toward her finish line.
If you want to effect change and support the cheetah, you may donate to a #teamcheetah team member or join #teamcheetah for this year’s Indy Mini HERE.
Are you also an Indy Mini first timer? Join our Indy Mini First Timers Facebook Group to ask questions, hear others’ experiences, get advice, and encourage each other! You can also join the 2020 Virtual OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Facebook Group or visit indymini.com for more virtual resources.