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FAQ
We hope that the topics below can answer some of your questions. Feel free to email Team Asha coordinators at seattle.teamasha@ashanet.org (seattleDOTteamashaATashanetDOTorg) if you have any other questions or comments!
- How many miles is a marathon and a half marathon?
A marathon is 26.2 miles; a half marathon is 13.1 miles.
- Is there a minimum fitness-level requirement?
There isn't a minimum fitness level to join the training program and people with no prior experience have trained to successfully complete the event. However, as with any exercise program, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before beginning physical training.
Every year we get a lot of runners who are new to endurance sports, especially running. 99% of first-time runners have successfully completed both full and half marathons.
- What is the cost for training for this program?
The training program with a professional coach is FREE. Asha Seattle volunteers have borne coaching and other costs of running the program. We require the participants to commit to a minimum fundraising amount and 100% of these funds will directly go towards supporting Asha™ projects in India.
- What is Asha for Education? Why should I run for Asha?
Asha for Education is a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to bringing socio-economic change in India using primarily the medium of education. To read more about Asha's charter and projects please visit our website.
Asha Seattle has been ranked among the top charities in the world for its organizational efficiency by Charity Navigator, an independent charity assessment agency.
- What is Team Asha?
Team Asha is a program that trains people for various endurance events e.g. half and full marathons, 50-200 miles bike rides like Seattle to Portland. It is organized by Asha for Education and is an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a good cause.
Through this program, we hope to encourage people - both new to the world of endurance running as well as experienced runners - to make a physical and fiscal commitment to help provide a better future for underprivileged communities in India. Interested volunteers can choose to connect directly with Asha project partners in India to have a first-hand look at the impact of their work.
- What does the Team Asha marathon training program provide?
- A free comprehensive marathon-training package (for full and half marathons) conducted by an experienced, professional coach.
- Well-planned training workouts. This will be a well-paced training program consisting of hard-training days, easy-training days, rest days, suggestions for cross-training, strength training and more.
- Mentorship and networking opportunities with experienced marathoners and fellow runners in the local community.
- Track workouts and work with a peer group to meet specific run/walk time goals.
- Discuss fundraising ideas with past participants and people who have raised funds.
- Learn more about Asha Seattle efforts to bring socio-economic change in India.
- Discounted registrations for the Seattle Half and Full Marathon programs.
- Plenty of support along the way. Asha Seattle is a Seattle Marathon Association partner and also has a water booth along the way!
- Bragging rights! You can be the star at dinner conversations and celebrate this achievement with family, friends and colleagues. Few have done this and even fewer people have done this for a cause
- What are the costs that I need to bear?
The main costs include race registrations (charity group discount may be applicable), running shoes and apparel. You also need to get food/drink supplies during the long runs.
- What kind of commitment is expected from the runners?
- Train for about 6 months for full and around 4 months for half. The recommended training period is for new runners and could be shorter, depending on your current ability. The coach will be able to assess your fitness and design a personalized schedule that meets your ability and needs.
- You will join the entire group for one long run (Sundays) and one mid-week track session on Thursdays (see schedule below for more details).
- Recommended to raise $1000 if you are running a marathon and $500 if you are running a half marathon. We have reduced the minimum fundraising requirements in some cases (students, repeat runners, spouses etc.) - please see below for further details.
- Join in the socials and parties, make merry and enjoy with fellow runners.
- What is the training schedule?
We meet twice a week with the coach for the group running activity. You can find runners and walkers of various skill levels in the group. Here is the schedule for Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon program:
Thursdays
When: 6:30-7:30pm
Where: Soccer field @ Grass Lawn Park (7031 148th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052-4154)
Sundays
When: Starts at 8am (We will move it to 7 am later as it gets warmer and runs get longer. Our target it to be done by 9 am)
Where: Subway @ Marymoor Park (6046 West Lake Samm Pkwy NE Redmond, WA 98052)
In addition, you can form informal groups to run on other days of the group, especially around Microsoft campus.
- I have never raised money for a cause. How do I raise this amount?
This is a very valid concern that every new member has. We will help you with ideas to help you with your fundraising. Friends, family and well-wishers are usually supportive of worthy causes like these. Over the years, dozens of runners have raised tens of thousands of dollars through this program.
In addition, we have lowered the minimum fundraising requirements for a few cases (see below).
- What happens if I am unable to meet my fundraising target?
From our experience, most of our runners have been able to meet the minimum fundraising target with reasonable effort. Team Asha mentors and other Asha volunteers will work with you throughout the program and beyond to help you attain your goal of raising the target amount. You could view the program as a means of supporting and encouraging the underprivileged children and not simply a marathon-training program. Your fundraising efforts are critical for Asha to continue supporting these projects. We urge you to do your best to honor your commitment in helping these children.
If in the end you still fail to reach the minimum target then you are requested to donate for the shortfall to Asha. We understand that it may impact few people more so following table covers the discount on minimum amount.
| Runner Type | Minimum amount recommended (full/half) |
| Individual runner |
$1000/$500 |
| Individual runner 5k/10k |
$300 |
| Both spouse running | $1000/$500 (minimum applies to only one person that is running longer race) |
| Repeat runner | $500/$250 |
| Student discount on minimum fund raising target | $500/$250 |
| Runners younger than 18 years |
$0/$0 |
- Where do the funds I raise go?
The funds raised will go towards some selected projects. You will have the opportunity to learn about the projects for which you'll be helping to raise money.
- How much money that I raise actually goes towards the cause?
Our operating expenses are minimal and are covered by volunteers or sponsors. Hence all the funds you raise will go to projects.
- When does the program begin? Is there a last date to join?
Team Asha marathon training program has started in Jan 2011 and is aimed at finishing a marathon at Rock 'n' Roll marathon. But you can join till late depending on your fitness level and if you are going for half or full marathon. Coach will work with you to figure out if Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon timeline will work out for you.
- What if I am not sure and want to give it a try?
Participants are given till end of February to decide. After that, we ask the runners to commit to raise funds for Asha. If you cannot run for any reason after commitment, you are required to pay the minimum fundraising amount of $50. Exception to rule, however, is dropping out due to injury.
- When and where is the marathon I'll be training for?
Seattle Rock 'n' Roll marathon is in June end. You can train for other marathons and information on some of them nearby is available here.
- I see several marathons on the calendar. Do I have to run all of them?
No. The minimum requiremetn is to run at least one target race, but you can run other races if you like.
- I might be interested but I'm just not sure.
Feel free to contact program coordinators or coaches to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
- I'm in. Where do I go from here?
Welcome to Team Asha! Contact us over email at seattle.teamasha@ashanet.org or just attend any of our training runs!
- Can I train separately and still be part of Team Asha?
Yes, you can train on your own and still raise funds for Asha Seattle. Please contact us and we will tell you more about how to do this.
- Is there a minimum age requirement?
Yes. The minimum age requirement is 12. For kids below 12 years, we encourage 5K or 3.1 mile runs.
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