Miracle Runners

Matt Hoidal
Nashua, New Hampshire
Matt, founder and coordinator of the Miracle Marathon, first became involved with Camp Sunshine through Miles For Smiles, a public non-profit corporation he co-founded with his brother David. After sending a few children and families to Camp Sunshine, Matt decided to pick up the pace and literally go the distance with the Miracle Marathon.

In January 2001 Matt took the attorney's oath and was sworn in to the Massachusetts Bar. Although Matt has dreamed of being an attorney since he was eight years old, he decided to put his legal career on hold to allow him to focus on his other dream of bringing miles of smiles to critically ill children and their families.

Chris Hutchins
Mission, British Columbia

Chris is ready to meet the challenge! Loading up on stamina, determination and good will, she prepares for the 1600 mile run in an effort to help critically ill children and their families. Chris is already in the business of helping others by providing free accommodations for runners around the world through her web site: www.runnerscircle.com. Chris has been a runner for 3 1/2 years. She has run in 6 other marathons, including Boston. She is proud to be a participant in this exciting event.

Ron Paquette
Madison, Maine

After 38 years of a very rewarding & fulfilling career of coaching & teaching at Madison High School, Madison, Maine I am retiring just in time to participate in the Miracle Marathon. I'm an adventurer with a love of running having run 36 marathons and 14 ultras. I've also cycled parts of Europe, the Gaspe' Peninsula & Newfoundland. As a gift to myself, I wanted to find a unique journey to celebrate my retirement. When I heard about the Miracle Marathon and its mission I was drawn to the idea that this would be an excellent way for me to share my health and good fortune to help others. Life is exciting and if my participation in something I love can help others experience this excitement even if it is for a short time it would be wonderful.

Shannon Farar Griefer Calabasas, California

Dave Hoidal (Alternate Runner)
Portland, Maine

Janna Chernetz
Westfield, New Jersey

I couldn't be more excited to be running in the Miracle Marathon for Camp Sunshine. It's a very small sacrifice on my part for such a very important and worthy cause. Since my involvement in the Miracle Marathon I have had the opportunity to meet many special people from around the nation whose lives have been affected by childhood cancer and other critical illnesses. I am honored to be running in an event that means so much to so many people. I started running in '92 during my sophomore year of high school and have been running ever since. I've participated in too many road races to count as well as triathlons, and even placed in "Hi-Tech" Adventure races. I graduated Rutgers College in '99 and I am currently a law student at the Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vermont.

Adam Jaffe
Dallas,Texas

I decided to join the Miracle Marathon team after I spoke with a parent who had a child confined to a wheel chair. This child had never really known all the joy a child's life should encompass. As I listened to her story, I thought about my own childhood growing up in Texas. Hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting and other outdoor activities seemed to occupy most of my time. I even went to law school in the Green Mountains of Vermont to pursue more of those activities. Just a few days after speaking with this parent, I received an e-mail about Camp Sunshine's Miracle Marathon. Without hesitation, I responded.

I am 26 years old and in my second year at Vermont Law School pursuing a law degree and a masters in environmental law. I love being outside doing almost anything. In my free time, I play soccer and rugby, coach soccer for youth teams, and enjoy Two Stepping and Swinging away when it is too cold in Vermont for running outside.

Alan Lam
Bremerton, Washington

I am extremely honored to be able to participate in the Miracle Marathon and help raising funds for Camp Sunshine. Often in life we ask the question, "Why me?" However the opportunity to join other Miracle Runners and to make a difference in children's lives has me asking "Why not me?" I have never been part of any event as great as the Miracle Marathon, in terms of distance covered and amount raised, although I am no stranger to long-distance running and fundraising. I look forward to the challenges. More importantly, I look forward to meeting the children and te families, and to put a smile on their faces

Matt Barker
Columbia, South Carolina

With an extreme love for running and a desire to help others Matt is ready to take on the challenge of the Miracle Marathon. Along with this challenge he hopes to put smiles on the many faces of those that will benefit from the completion of the event. Matt has been running for 6 years and is the graduate of 13 marathons. "After finishing a marathon, I have always felt such a huge sense of accomplishment, personally. I want others to be included in this joy and have running to plant that seed of joy."

Roy Moskowitz
Manalapan, NJ

Roy has been married for 37 years and has 2 children. He has a love for children and people, and believes fitness should be a way of life. Roy trains by the "three D's": 1. Desire, 2. Dedication, and 3. Determination. Roy's theme for the Miracle Marathon: "I am…I can!" Roy has been running since 1976. Since then, he has run 24 marathons. His fundraising includes two 150-mile weekend bicycle rides for M.S., running the 1995 Mayor Midnight Sun Marathon for Leukemia, and walking in the 1999 Avon 3-day 60-mile walk for breast cancer. Prior to running in the Miracle Marathon Roy will squeeze in one more marathon on April 29th- the Jersey Shore Marathon. Roy will be 60 years "young" on June 23, 2001.

Heather Fitts
Longmeadow, MA

Heather is 19 years old and is a junior at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. She has run cross-country for the past 6 years, taking the past season off to further her involvement with community service. She is currently the Co-president of the Circle K Club at St. Lawrence, where they are focusing on raising money for Camp Sunshine through the Miracle Marathon. She is also involved with Habitat for Humanity and is a peer counselor. Heather is very excited to run this summer. She recently placed 10th in her division at the half-marathon in Walt Disney World and loves to run distance races and events. She will volunteer at Camp Sunshine for a session this summer and during the rest of the time she will be working in Maine. Heather is majoring in Sociology and hopes to pursue a career in education.

Kristen Fitts
Longmeadow, MA

Kristen is 19 years old and is a junior at St. Lawrence University where she is majoring in psychology with a minor in statistics and sociology. She heard about the Miracle Marathon from Matt Hoidal who graduated from St. Lawrence. Kristen has been a runner for 6 years and has run cross-country in high school and in college. She has run in many races and is very excited to participate in this run for a wonderful cause. Kristen is Co-president of Circle K, a community service organization at St. Lawrence. The Miracle Marathon combines her love of running with her love for giving to the community. Kristen will spend a week as a volunteer at Camp Sunshine this summer.