🏅 Fall 2026 Program — Applications Open

Run with
Purpose.
Transform Lives.

Join our fall marathon training program supporting education and empowerment in India

Explore the Program
500+
Runners Trained
$1M+
Funds Raised
20+
Years Running
100%
Finish Rate
Our Mission

Run with Purpose

TeamAIDAsha combines marathon training with meaningful fundraising, supporting education and empowerment initiatives in India. For over 20 years, we've trained hundreds of runners while raising over $1 million for our charity partners.

Whether you're a first-time marathoner or seasoned runner, join our supportive community and make every mile count toward transforming lives.

What You Get

Everything You Need to Succeed

📋

Professional Coaching

Expert-designed training plans for all levels. Weekly group runs with certified coaches preparing you for fall marathons from base building to race day.

🤝

Supportive Community

Train alongside passionate runners who share your commitment to social change. Form lasting friendships throughout the 6-month journey.

🌱

Meaningful Impact

100% of funds raised support education and community development in India. Your miles directly translate into classrooms, books, and empowered communities.

Our Partners

Supporting Education in India

AID India

Community Development & Sustainable Livelihoods

Association for India's Development works to promote sustainable, equitable, and just development in India through grassroots organizations and community-based initiatives.

Learn More →

Asha for Education

Quality Education for Underprivileged Children

Asha for Education focuses on basic education and community development in India, working with local communities to ensure quality education for underprivileged children.

Learn More →
The Journey

Our Training Program

A comprehensive 6-month journey from beginner to marathon finisher

April

Program Launch & Assessment

Kickoff meeting, fitness assessments, goal setting, and introduction to your training group. Receive your personalized training plan.

May – June

Base Building Phase

Focus on building aerobic base with easy runs, form clinics, and strength training. Weekly group runs and nutrition workshops. Choose between a full or a half marathon.

July – August

Build & Strengthen

Increase mileage and introduce tempo runs. Speed work sessions, injury prevention clinics, and fundraising strategy workshops.

September

Peak Training

Maximum mileage weeks with long runs up to 20+ miles. Mental preparation workshops and final fundraising push.

October – November

Race Day & Celebration

Taper period, race day execution, and post-race celebration. Reflect on your journey and the lives you've changed.

Why TeamAIDAsha

More Than a Running Club

Six reasons runners come back season after season.

1

Choose Your Race

Train for the fall marathon that works for you — Chicago Marathon, NYC Marathon, Marine Corps, or a local favorite. We support your choice!

2

Expert Coaching

Customized training plans from experienced coaches. Weekly guidance, injury prevention, nutrition advice, and pace strategies tailored to your goals.

3

Team Gear

Official TeamAIDAsha running gear to wear with pride. Show your support while training and on race day.

4

Race Day Support

TeamAIDAsha cheering squad at your marathon. Virtual support for races nationwide. Post-race celebration with your teammates.

5

Fundraising Support

Proven fundraising strategies, templates, and personal coaching. We help you reach your goal and maximize impact for AID India and Asha for Education.

6

Lifelong Community

Train alongside people who share your passion for running and social change. Many TeamAIDAsha runners return season after season.

Voices from the Team

Hear from TeamAIDAsha Runners

"One of my highlights of the year 2016 was training with TeamAIDAsha for the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. In the beginning I did not have faith that I could run 26 miles. But, following the advice of our coach and veteran runners helped me every step of the way. The training regime was flexible and accommodating of minor setbacks, recoveries and short absences. I couldn't have asked for a better and more positive experience while training for my first marathon. Thanks to TeamAIDAsha, I am now a runner for life!"

— Vidhya, Marine Corps Marathon 2016

"My only experience in recreational running was occasional sprint to catch a bus, so signing up to run for a marathon seemed like a stretch too far. However, with great support from the team and coach, this was a great experience and pinnacle of my athletic career."

— Rajeev, TeamAIDAsha Runner

Special Clinics

Expert-led sessions to prepare you for every aspect of the season — from your shoes to your fundraising strategy.

📋 Agenda

  • ▸Introduction to running shoes & biomechanics
  • ▸Shoe maintenance & best practices
  • ▸Running apparel
  • ▸Running accessories (socks, fuel belts, GPS, GU gels, foam roller, Body Glide…)
  • ▸Q&A
  • ▸Personal shoe fitting for those who are buying

👟 Shoes

There are different types of running shoes (Motion Control, Stability, Neutral, Minimalist) to match different types of feet and pronation. Every runner's feet are different — get professional help to find the right match. As mileage increases, correctly fitted shoes make a huge positive difference.

Ease into a new pair starting with short runs. Marathon Sports will allow exchanges within 30 days if they become uncomfortable.

A normal shoe lasts 300–400 miles. Use Strava to track shoe mileage. Full marathoners will need a second pair about 3–4 weeks before race day. Half marathoners can typically use one pair for the whole season.

If washing is needed, hand-wash only — washer/dryer heat can loosen the glue. Dry wet shoes faster by stuffing them with newspaper.

If you have foot pain lasting more than a few days, talk to the coaching team and see a podiatrist who specializes in running injuries.

🧦 Socks

Avoid cotton socks — they retain moisture and cause blisters. Choose synthetic, moisture-wicking materials. Pick lengths (below/above ankle, thin/thick) based on season and personal preference.

👕 Clothes

Avoid cotton — it retains moisture and will make you cold and uncomfortable on long runs. Choose synthetic, moisture-wicking fabrics like your TeamAIDAsha t-shirt.

🎒 Accessories

  • ▸ Foam roller (see Stretching Clinic)
  • ▸ GU gels & chews for energy boosts
  • ▸ Body Glide to prevent chafing
  • ▸ Waistband for phone & keys
  • ▸ Fuel belt for solo long runs
  • ▸ Strava (free) for tracking mileage & pace
  • ▸ GPS watch (optional, advanced tracking)
The notes above are from our Shoe Clinic. If you have any questions, please contact one of the coaching team members.

"Correctly warming up and cooling down may offer help in reducing your risk of injury and improving your athletic performance."

— Mayo Clinic

▶️ Pre-Run & Post-Run Stretching Videos

A complete YouTube playlist with videos demonstrating the suggested pre and post-run stretching routines. Start with the simple stretches at the beginning of the season and add the advanced stretches later.

Watch Playlist →

📊 Clinic Slides

Slides from the TeamAIDAsha Stretching Clinic covering dynamic warm-ups before the run, cool-down stretches after the run, and strengthening exercises to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

View Slides (Part 1) → View Slides (Part 2) →

🏃 Dynamic Warm-Up

Prepares your muscles and joints for the demands of running. Covered in the clinic slides and the YouTube playlist — start with the basics early in the season.

❄️ Cool-Down Stretches

Helps your body recover after runs and reduces post-run stiffness. Add the advanced cool-down stretches as your mileage increases later in the season.

💪 Strengthening Exercises

Our 6-month program is designed for a slow, structured ramp-up with built-in recovery time. Strengthening exercises help prevent common running aches, pains, and injuries — especially important for beginner runners.

👩‍⚕️ About Our Clinic Presenter — Pratibha Golecha

Pratibha graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Physical Therapy in India and completed a Masters in Sports Injury Management in 2014 from the United Kingdom. She has worked in outpatient settings treating orthopedic, sports, and neurological conditions, incorporating Mulligan/Manual Therapy, ART (Active Release Technique), and Kinesiotaping.

Pratibha became a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) in 2015, has worked with the Yuwa soccer team for underprivileged girls, and has conducted ergonomic training for corporate employees.

Questions about stretching or injury prevention? Feel free to contact us anytime. We hope to see you at the trails!

👩‍⚕️ About Our Clinic Presenter — Sarah Gold Anzlovar, RDN

Sarah Gold Anzlovar is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Boston Nutrition, a private practice providing nutrition counseling for adults. She specializes in sports nutrition, weight management, and chronic disease prevention.

With nearly 15 years of experience in communications, brand strategy, and media, Sarah has successfully implemented corporate wellness and nutrition programs at small startups, Fortune 500 companies, and colleges and universities. She has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Everyday Health, Shape, Eating Well, The Huffington Post, and more.

Sarah holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration & Marketing from The George Washington University and a Master of Science in Nutrition Communication from Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She completed her dietetic internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a Harvard University teaching hospital in Boston, MA.

📄 Clinic Handouts & Slides — May 2019

Below are the handouts and slides from Sarah's nutrition clinic for TeamAIDAsha runners.

Handout 1 → Handout 2 → Handout 3 → Handout 4 → Handout 5 → View Slides →

👩‍⚕️ Nutrition Clinic 2018 — Lainey Younkin, MS, RD, LDN

Lainey Younkin is a Registered Dietitian at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. She provides individualized nutrition counseling for weight management, chronic disease prevention, and sports nutrition.

Lainey's nutrition communication experience includes working at the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) in Brussels, Belgium and developing content for Joy Bauer, dietitian for NBC's The TODAY Show. She has been featured in Tufts Nutrition Magazine, EatingWell Magazine, Boston Magazine, Today's Dietitian, and more.

Lainey graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Food Science – Nutrition & Dietetics, completed her dietetics training at Massachusetts General Hospital, and holds a Master of Science in Nutrition Communication from the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy.

📄 Clinic Notes — Lainey Younkin, 2018

Notes and materials from Lainey's nutrition clinic for TeamAIDAsha runners.

Handout 1 → View Slides → Handout 2 →
Questions about nutrition for runners? Feel free to contact us anytime.

📊 Fundraising Clinic Slides

These slides from the TeamAIDAsha fundraising clinic give runners the best practices, tools, and techniques to comfortably reach their fundraising targets within three months. This information is based on the collective wisdom from hundreds of first-time runners who successfully raised funds for the TeamAIDAsha program.

99.99% of TeamAIDAsha runners have followed the methods in these slides and reached or exceeded their fundraising targets.

View Fundraising Slides →
99.99%
of runners reached or exceeded their target
100s
of first-time fundraisers have used this system
3
months to comfortably hit your target
Questions about fundraising? Feel free to contact us anytime.
🎯 Fundraising Target Amounts
Full Marathon
$2,620
$1,500 for full-time students
Half Marathon
$1,500
$1,000 for full-time students
Alumni Runners
$1,000
Active volunteers who have previously completed the program
💼 Employer Matching Donations

Your employer may match your donation to charitable organizations like AID and Asha. Both organizations are registered with the IRS as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations.

AID Federal Tax ID: 04-3652609
Asha Federal Tax ID: 77-0459884

Please let the runner know if your company matches charitable donations — it can double your impact at no extra cost to you!

Runner FAQs

Everything you need to know about training, fundraising, and joining the TeamAIDAsha family.

🏃 General 💪 Training ❤️ Fundraising 🏅 Race Day
🏃 General Questions
We help you train for a full or half marathon over 4–6 months, and you help us by raising funds for AID and Asha. Training begins in late April with weekly Saturday group runs, and races are held in October–November. 100% of the funds you raise go directly to grassroots education and development projects in India.
Our program runs from late April through end of October. Beginners should join as early as possible. Experienced runners can join later, but the earlier the better for staying in sync with the team. If you're unsure, contact us and we'll figure out what works best for you.
You must be at least 18 years old, able to commit to the training schedule, and willing to fundraise for our charity partners. No prior running experience is required — we welcome everyone from complete beginners to experienced runners.
Expect about 3–4 hours per week on average, mostly on Saturday long runs. During peak training (August–September) add 1–2 hours more. During peak fundraising (July–October), budget about 1 extra hour per week for donor outreach.
Mentors are alumni runners who have completed the program — both the marathon and the fundraising — in a previous season. They volunteer to guide and support new runners throughout the season. Note: mentors are not coaches. All training questions should go to the coach.
No — TeamAIDAsha does not reimburse runner expenses. We work hard to ensure as much money as possible reaches the grassroots projects. We deeply appreciate your commitment.
Running shoes (~$80–$100/pair, typically 2 pairs per season) · Athletic gear (optional) · Race registration (~$50–$200 depending on race) · Travel, food & accommodation if your race is out of town. Booking early for races like the Marine Corps Marathon in DC can significantly reduce travel costs.
Unfortunately no. Tax receipts are only issued to donors who contribute to your fundraising page, not for runner expenses.
Once you formally register, we ask that you follow through. Race slots cannot be transferred once reserved. That said, we understand life happens — if you're having difficulty continuing, contact us as soon as possible so we can work with you on the best solution.
💪 Training
Absolutely. Most of our runners are beginners, some with zero prior running experience. Training starts at 1–2 miles and builds gradually. You can begin with a run-walk approach and progress at your own pace. Come join a couple of Saturday runs with no obligation and decide for yourself.
Completely fine. We train runners to complete long distances at a pace that is comfortable for each individual. The goal for your first marathon is simply to finish it while staying healthy. Pace doesn't matter — commitment does.
Yes. It's okay to occasionally miss Saturday group runs. We recommend following the training calendar as closely as possible even when traveling — it's a great excuse to explore a new city on foot! Just make sure you're running somewhere safe.
Most group runs are on Saturday mornings in and around Cambridge/Somerville/Arlington, primarily on the Minuteman Bikeway starting at Davis Square. During peak season we may add mid-week group sessions. Start times range from 10:00 AM in spring to 6:30–7:00 AM during peak summer to beat the heat.
Absolutely. We've had runners who drove 1–2 hours each way for Saturday group runs. It takes extra motivation, but runners consistently say it's well worth it for the coaching and community.
There's no single correct approach, but we recommend following our coach's plan so you stay in sync with the team. Our plans have been refined over many years and have worked for hundreds of runners across all fitness levels.
Yes, but talk to us first. We can accommodate other races, but may not be able to provide race-day support (cheering squad, etc.) if our team isn't participating there. The training plan can be adjusted for your chosen race.
Once you officially register, we'll provide a detailed week-by-week training plan tailored to your chosen race. You'll also have ongoing access to the coach and mentors throughout the season.
❤️ Fundraising
We've helped hundreds of first-time fundraisers reach and exceed their targets. Attend our fundraising clinic early in the season and follow the guidance from your mentors and coordinators. Almost everyone who does this reaches their goal comfortably.
Half Marathon: $1,500 · Full Marathon: $2,620 · Alumni & Students: $1,000 · 2 or more runners from the same family: 25% off the combined total. These are minimums — many runners exceed their targets, especially in their first year.
96–98% of all funds raised by AID and Asha go directly to grassroots education and social development projects in India. Funds are allocated annually to the AID and Asha Boston/MIT chapter project pool based on needs and a volunteer review process. AID and Asha chapter meetings are open to the public — you're welcome to attend anytime.
Unfortunately no. Funds go into the general project pool and are allocated based on ground-level needs and volunteer review. You're welcome to attend open chapter meetings to see exactly how funds are used.
Once you register, a personal fundraising page is automatically created for you. Customize it with your photo and message, then share the link with friends, family, and colleagues and ask them to donate online via secure credit card.
Send your personal fundraising page link to your donors and ask them to click the "Donate" button next to your name. This tags the donation to your account and ensures it counts toward your target.
Credit card verification and charging takes 30–60 minutes. Once successful, the donation appears on your account and you'll receive an email notification. Allow up to 1–2 hours for confirmation emails.
Yes. Donors receive an email confirmation after a successful charge, and tax receipts are sent in January or February of the following year.
The typical steps are: (1) donor makes an online donation via your personal page, (2) donor notifies their employer about the donation, (3) the company contacts AID or Asha to confirm, (4) AID or Asha responds, (5) the company sends the matching amount. Steps 3–5 can take weeks or months, so start the process as early as possible.
We strongly encourage online credit card donations. Cash and check processing creates significant manual overhead for our limited volunteer team and can take months to clear. If a donor has no other option, you may collect cash and make an online donation in their name. We cannot accept checks in foreign currencies.
Yes! We accept credit cards from a large number of countries including India, across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
TeamAIDAsha provides extensive support — fundraising clinic, personal web page, and guidance from mentors and alumni. If you attend the clinic and follow the advice, you will reach your target. Still concerned? Talk to your mentor — they've been in your shoes.
🏅 Race Day
You choose your race! Options include: Baystate Half/Full Marathon – Lowell, MA (mid Oct) · Marine Corps Marathon – Washington, D.C. (late Oct) · Cambridge, MA (early Nov). Interested in a different fall race? Talk to us. You register independently.
Yes! We organize a cheering squad at races where we have a group of runners. For solo or remote races, the team provides virtual support and we celebrate everyone together at the season finale in November.
We offer some flexibility to switch race distances during the season. Watch for commitment deadlines communicated by the coaching team — switching after certain deadlines may not be possible.
💬 Still have questions?

Program or fundraising questions: Contact your mentor or use our Contact Us page, or email info@teamaidasha.org.