Runners Roost Employee Fundraising for Make-A-Wish Colorado

Runners Roost employee, Charles Remillard, likes to move. Charles has worked at The Roost for the past 3 years in addition to teaching middle school science full-time. However, that doesn’t slow him down! He qualified for the 2020 Olympic trials in the marathon, speed hiked the Colorado Trail in 10 days, and is now taking on a new challenge: the Trailblaze Challenge. The Trailblaze Challenge is a 23.7 mile hike on the Colorado Trail that raises funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish Colorado, a nonprofit that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

In the past, Charles has volunteered for the Trailblaze Challenge event as a hike leader and volunteered his time to train hikers of all ability levels to prepare for the challenge and provide motivation and guidance on the day of the hike. “Being a hike leader allowed me to learn some awesome hikes, meet a lot of awesome people, and watch them progress throughout their fitness and fundraising journey,” Charles said.

This year, Charles is taking on the Trailblaze Challenge himself to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Colorado. “Make-A-Wish has become a big part of my life since moving to Colorado, I have made lasting friendships and have come to realize the amazing things that Make-A-Wish does for kids with critical illnesses,” said Charles. Volunteering for Make-A-Wish has given Charles perspective on the challenges that he faces in his own endurance events. “Running at a high level takes a lot of bravery, but the obstacles that wish kids need to endure are much greater than the obstacles that I have had to endure as a runner. Wish kids are some of the bravest kids you’ll ever know,” he said.

Charles described his most recent 10 day speed hike over the 485 miles of the Colorado Trail as “one of the most challenging experiences of his life.” Knowing that the pain and fatigue had a finish line kept him going. For many kids battling critical illnesses, a wish is a celebration for complying with treatment, or it is something that can create hope and give wish kids something to look forward to, like a finish line of their own!

Charles has made it his goal to raise $2,500 for Make-A-Wish Colorado in this year’s Trailblaze Challenge. He will be joining 40 other participants on August 14th to hike (or run!) sections 2 and 3 of the Colorado Trail for a total of 23.7 miles. Charles is excited for the physical challenge and is looking forward to contributing to Make-A-Wish Colorado’s mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.