Jessica Schulman's Fundraiser:

Hi everyone! I am running my FIRST Boston Marathon for Team 261 Fearless! 

261 Fearless, Inc. is a global non-profit organization founded by pioneer runner, Kathrine Switzer. 261 Fearless uses running as a vehicle to empower and unite women globally through the creation of communication platforms, clubs, training opportunities, ambassadors, merchandising and events. Through these networking opportunities, 261 Fearless breaks down the barriers of geography and creates a global community for women runners of all abilities to support and talk to each other, encouraging healthy living and a positive sense of self and fearlessness. 

It is the mission of 261 Fearless to bring active women together through a global supportive community – allowing fearless women to pass strength gained from running and walking onto women who are facing challenges and hence sparking a revolution of empowerment.  261 is the symbol that unites us as empowered runners and walkers. 

The 2017 Boston Marathon is the 50th Anniversary of Kathrine's historic run as the first woman to run the marathon, wearing an official race bib (261) in the all-male event.  She had to fend off an angry race director at mile two.  After finishing that race, Kathrine dedicated her life to providing opportunities around the world for women to run. 261 Fearless, Inc. is the legacy of inclusion and empowerment that she will pass to others.  All fundraisers on TEAM 261 FEARLESS will line up on the Boston Marathon start line with Kathrine to celebrate another half century of women running. Together, we celebrate fearlessness on the streets of Boston.

The funds raised will go to setting up global 261 Clubs. In particular, we need the ability to bring our 261 Club model of social, non-competitive running to women all over the world; we know creating the community of running women transforms them, and we need to get our training and support team out into the communities who need and want a club the most.