FAQ

Team SHALVA is a unique and dedicated training program that unites runners of all backgrounds and ages, helping them prepare to walk/run or a combination of both in the upcoming Jerusalem full, half, 10k, or 5k runs.  During this process, runners raise money for SHALVA-The Association for Mentally & Physically Challenged Children in Israel.  Team SHALVA is committed to helping participants reach their fundraising and personal training goals.

There are two SHALVA centers in Israel, one in Jerusalem and another in Alon Shvut.  Both centers provide afternoon activities and supplemental respite care along with related therapies 365 days a year.  In this manner, parents are better able to cope with the tremendous pressures of keeping their child at home.  In addition to the aforementioned afternoon and respite care, the Jerusalem center provides early intervention for infants aged 0-4, life skills training from ages six through young adulthood, and overnight and day camps.  All programs and services are provided completely free of charge.

To learn more about SHALVA, please visit: www.shalva.org

Once you have reached your fundraising minimum, the Team SHALVA experience includes:

• Roundtrip airfare to Israel (non-Israeli runners, only)
• Hotel accommodations at the Jerusalem Crowne Plaza from:
  • Thursday March 20th- Sunday March 23rd (non-Israeli runners, only)
  • Thursday March 20th- Friday March 21st (Israeli runners)
• Pre-race Pasta Party where you will have the chance to meet the other runners
• An exciting tour of SHALVA where you will have the opportunity to see firsthand the therapies and services that your efforts are helping to support.
• Post-race Victory Party
• Optional Shabbat Meals (additional cost applies)
• Optional Shabbat Programming
• Entry ticket to the Jerusalem municipality's "Erev Pasta" Party (Full and Half marathon runners only)
• Marathon admissions  
• Team running shirt (made from wicking material, allowing for 'cool running')
• Suggested itineraries/travel recommendations for your free time in Israel
• An unparalleled weekend of fun, meeting lots of new people and making new friends, all uniting for the benefit of SHALVA's children with special needs.

Runners from outside of Israel commit to raising a minimum of $3,600(USA/Canada) or £1,800(UK) and will receive a subsidy for airfare and hotel accommodations underwritten by our corporate sponsors.  Runners choosing to waive airfare and hotel accommodations are required to raise a minimum of $3,000 (USA/Canada).  Runners who currently reside in Israel commit to raising a minimum of 2,500 NIS. Runners who are under the age of 18 must fill out a parental consent form (on registration page) and have it signed.  Special rates are available for family teams (immediate family only), as well as large groups and school teams. Bnai mitzvah runners commit to raising a minimum of 1,000 NIS (hotel not included).

Every runner is issued his own webpage.  This can be customized both to reflect the runner's personality and allow him to reach donors, friends, and family members with updated information, fundraising updates, and insights about the experience.  And in addition to the webpage, the website is chock-filled with vital information that the runner will want to revisit again and again: sample letters, fundraising tips, charts, and other record-keeping tools.

Of course!  Whether you have never run before or you compete in marathons and triathlons every week, the Team SHALVA training program will help you prepare to cross the finish line.  Via the website, Team SHALVA provides all runners with training tools that have been put together by our team coaches Dorys Langlois and Yuval Assif.  Included are training schedules at every respective level, running tips, and stretching suggestions.  Registered runners will be able to write directly to their respective coaches whenever they have a concern or question related to their training.

Many of our runners are 'first timers'!  The combination of preparing for a first full or half marathon combined with the enthusiasm for raising money for such a great cause will be the impetus to get you over the finish line!  The training tips and running schedules included in this website have been carefuly researched and tested and, if followed with regularity, will ensure a succesful outcome to the overall marathon experience.

This depends on your present level of health and fitness.  Assuming that a runner is in relatively good health, we suggest a three-four month training program.  This general rule extends to both beginning and experienced runners.

To register, click here.  Once registered you will immediately gain access to various fundraising and training tools and your registration fee is credited to your required fundraising minimum.  This fee is a 100% tax deductable donation to SHALVA and is non-refundable.

All donations can be made via our simple and secure Online Donation Form.  Credit card donations can be made in U.S Dollars, Canadian Dollars, British Pounds, or Israeli Shekels.  All checks (USD, CAD, GBP, NIS) can be made out to SHALVA and will receive a tax deductible receipt.