Kirk Campbell founded Iqraa in 2008. He has completed 7 marathons, one ultra-marathon, and a half-ironman triathlon. Before coordinating the Iqraa running program, he served as coordinator for Team Ashia, which raises funds to support socio-economic change in India through education of underprivileged children. “I like to run for the physical exercise and feeling of freedom. And I love to run for Iqraa because we and our umbrella charity group, the Marathon Charity Cooperation, bring together runners with the common aim of running for a good cause. That keeps me motivated.”
Mazen Badr plays indoor soccer year-round and in the summer trains with Iqraa. He has completed three Marine Corps Marathon as an Iqraa runner and looking forward to do the fourth in 2012. “I am inspired by how much value the money we raise does in terms of educating Palestinian children, by my son who is a professional athlete, and by the great people of the Iqraa running team. Also, I am inspired by the fact that I am finally doing something I like for myself.”
With the training and group discipline provided by Iqraa, Cathy Baker ran her first half-marathon in Baltimore in 2010 and her first full marathon, the Marine Corps, in 2011. In 2012 she has already run another half marathon and a marathon relay leg, and she hopes to continue running a variety of new races in new places. She gets great enjoyment, also, from the training runs with the other Marathon Charity Cooperation runners who have become friends. “I really appreciate how Iqraa enables me to do something for others and for myself at the same time.”
Jorge Guzman got hooked on running around two years ago after he accompanied his 14-year-old daughter in a 5K school sponsored run. Iqraa’s summer training program last year allowed him to enter and complete successfully his first Marine Corps Marathon last fall. He especially values the opportunity Iqraa provides to fund raise for a worthy cause. “I appreciate the importance of the coaching support I have received and the friends I have made through Iqraa.”
