yRun is a non-profit organization currently seeking volunteers

• Laura Mercer had a “ah-ha” moment in August when a friend told her before a race “to run for those that can’t”. This was a profound statement to her, and as she was out there achieving her goals, she suddenly realized that she could do even more by running for someone else. That someone else is Kendra Kenendy, a brave & wonderful woman fighting cancer.Read Laura's yRun Story
• James and Meredith started out training for 70.3 Ironman with no real purpose other than doing it. Now, they are running for so much more. They will compete for Caden, raise awareness about congenital heart defects, and hopefully, in turn, lift up this amazing, faithful family. This is our yRun Story. Read the Atwood yRun Story
• Meet Amanda Stream & her brother Eric. They grew up in a simple, but loving and supportive home. Many of their family members have struggled with clinical depression, including Eric, whose battle has been significant and recently complicated by the loss of one of his childhood best friends, Pat, to suicide. This fall, Read Amanda's yRun Story
• Gina & Jack Rittinger are the proud parents of 3 beautiful, young children; Twins Jacob & Meghan (7 years old) and Justin (9 years old). Jacob and Justin are both autistic, and Megan is an insulin dependent diabetic. Watch this inspirational story, featured on Kare11 NBC News©, and see how a team of yRunners changed the Rittinger Family forever.Watch the yRun Rittinger Family Video
• Have you ever wanted to raise awareness and financial support for a cause meaningful to you, but didn't know how? This is how you get started. Submit your story & yRun application online today.yRunner Online Application

Optional Info

Any information can be placed in the sidebar to help your website visitors navigate your site.

To make a boxed heading like the one above, simply apply the H3 tag.

To make a box like this, assign the "sidebarlt" class.

You can do anything with a sidebar box. Insert images, ads or other web content.

Here's a text link.

To make a box like this, assign the "sidebardk" class.

You can do anything with a sidebar box. Insert images, ads or other web content.

Here's a text link.

yRun Partnerships

yRun is currently forming non-profit partnerships throughout the country to help raise awareness & support for various diseases and causes.

If you have an organization that you would like to recommend, please click below to fill out our online form:

Submit a yRun Non-Profit Partner.

Accepting Volunteers:

yRun is at a critical stage of it's formation. We are currently accepting volunteers to help us finalize our mission statement and 2009 Organization Plan. If you would like to learn more, please contact us:

Becoming a yRun Volunteer

Welcome to yRun...

yRun is an upstart non-profit organization located in the Twin Cities area. The yRun mission is simple; to help support the people who run for those who can't. Whether you want to run a local 5K in honor of a loved one fighting against cancer, or you want to run a marathon in memory of a lost loved one, the goal is the same and the reason is universal.

Thank you for visiting us, and we look forward to helping you learn more about the yRun mission. We value your feedback and your interest. I encourage you to email me personally to share your thoughts.

Duane Birchem Jr.
Founder | yRun

2009 yRun Stories

Eric B. Middlecamp
Patience. Respect. Love. Those were the three words Eric wanted to be remembered by. Learn about Eric's battle with Glioblastoma, and the legacy Eric leaves behind. Charlie & Kevin Ligtenberg will run the 2009 Grandma's Marathon in memory of Eric...

Read Eric's Story (Coming Soon)

Benjamin L. Lyons
Benjamin "Big Daddy" Lyons is great young man who passed away much too soon. Ben fought a courageous fight against mental illness, and this year Duane Birchem Jr. will run the 2009 Grandma's Marathon in memory of Big Daddy...

Read Ben's Story (Coming Soon)