Dear Family and Friends,

 

As the Olympics in Sochi have just passed, I thought it fitting to begin this journey. My name is Jake Benton. Most of you know me personally, while some of you know me through my mother, Tammie or my father, Michael. Regardless of how you got here, I want to tell you a little about myself and my Olympic Dream!

 

I am closing in on 22 years old and the end of my senior year at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU). I am two semesters away from completing my bachelor’s degree in biology - pre-med with a 4.0 GPA. My future plans include medical school, as I aspire to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. As much as I love medicine and biology, my true passion is running and that is why I compete in cross country and track for MSSU.

 

My running career began eight years ago when I started high school at Fort Zumwalt North High School in O’Fallon, Missouri. As a freshman, I knew I loved to run. I made it to the state cross country meet my freshman year and it has motivated me to train harder ever since. After a few more years, I realized, as did others, that I had potential in the sport. This led to my decision to accept an athletic scholarship and run for MSSU.

 

I have continued to improve as a runner, and I’ve fallen in love with it even more. I recently ran my first half marathon in Springfield, MO, placing first, 15 minutes ahead of the second place runner. I have come to the realization that I am NOT ready to hang up my spikes and walk away from this sport that has been such an insurmountable piece of my life. That is why I have decided to endure a vigorous training regime and qualify for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials!

 

This goal is time sensitive, and as a competitive runner, my window of opportunity is now. With that being said, I am putting medical school on a hiatus. I will be taking my MCAT (medical college admission test) in the fall of 2014. The score I receive will be viable for three years. This will give me enough time to train for the trials for 14 months and then apply for medical school in the fall of 2016.

 

Through countless hours of research, I have developed a plan to train with some of the top runners in the world. Located in Northeast Kenya, sits a small town called Iten. "There are 17 American men in history who have run under 2:10 in the marathon. There were 32 Kalenjin (specific tribe in Kenya) who did it in October of 2011." These Kenyans have won about 40% of all international distance championships since 1980. It is almost unfathomable, but it is the main reason I have decided to train there. I will be living in Iten, Kenya from January 2015 to March 2016. With it very close to Europe, I will have some of the fastest races in the world available to compete in. I will race the Milan half marathon and Berlin marathon to run the times needed to qualify for the March 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles, California.

 

In Iten, I will be staying in a running compound called Run Kenya. The compound’s owner, Dan, has been very helpful in my preparation. My living accommodations will be the bare minimum. I will have running water for part of the year, and during the time it is unavailable, I will have to use a shared well on compound grounds. I will not have a bathroom in my room, as an outhouse is used in place of individual restrooms. However, I will have electricity so that I can cook my meals as well as communicate through internet and phone connections.  This is especially important for all of those who consider supporting me. I have developed a Face Book page and a website where I will blog continuous updates on my training and cultural experiences. While many may think this is crazy, I find the simplicity of it all very appealing. It will allow me to focus more attention on running than I ever have before.

 

There will be a certain amount of time that I will not actually be running. It is during these times that I plan to keep myself up to date for medical school. I am in the process of gathering textbooks so that I can read and continue my studies while I am there. I am also in the process of connecting with the administrator of a local hospital in town. This will be the perfect opportunity for me to expand my knowledge while also sharing any education that I have obtained to care for the less fortunate in Kenya.

 

Obviously, plane tickets and food are not obtained from dreams or volunteering.  I have and will continue to save everything I earn but…

 

I am asking for your support, so that I can achieve my goal of competing in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials!

 

Below are my estimated expenses for the 14 months of training in Iten.

Airfare (Kenya, Berlin, Milan & US Medical School Interviews)                                                                             $  8400

“Run Kenya” compound living expenses:                                                                                                                    $  2520

Food: Estimated $40/week:                                                                                                                                              $  2240 

Running shoes:                                                                                                                                                                    $    300

Medical school applications (6 schools):                                                                                                                      $  1500

Phone/Internet services:                                                                                                                                                  $  1176

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Total:                                                                                                                                                                                      $16,136

 

ALL donations that I receive will not just be for me. Every donation will be documented and when I begin my medical career, I will donate the same amount raised in order to pay forward your generosity and support!!

 

Individuals, groups and/or corporate/organizational sponsors (if you have an employer who may be interested, please let me know!!) can help by donating using one of three tier options:

 

• “Bronze” Option:                                            One-time donation of any amount

•  

• “Silver” Option:                                              Donate $1.00 per Olympic Ring for each month that I train in Kenya

•                                                                            ($1.00 x 5 rings x 14 months = one-time $70.00 or $5.00 month)

 

• “Going for the Gold” Option:                      Donate $5.00 for each Olympic Ring for every month I train in Kenya

•                                                                            ($5.00 x 5 rings x 14 months = one-time $350.00 or $25.00 month). With this option,

•                                                                            I will personally put your name on the singlet I wear for the qualifying race to show the

•                                                                            amazing support I have received!!

 

For your convenience, donations can be made by any of the following methods: (one-time sum or monthly payments gladly accepted)

 

• Check or Money Order mailed to my “event coordinator”:                          Tammie Benton

•                                                                                                                                         1762 Wilmes Rd

•                                                                                                                                        Wentzville MO 63385

 

• http://supportjakebenton.wix.com/supportjakebenton                              Donation option online via my link to PayPal

 

Lastly, I am mailing approximately 350 letters to family and friends seeking support.  I understand that we are all faced with tough economic times and most are challenged with normal living expenses. There is no amount too small that would help me reach my dream and collectively small amounts will add up quickly! I commit to being a responsible steward of your money and use it solely for training, travel and living purposes.  If something happens and I am unable to fulfill my plans, ALL donation money will be returned or donated to a reputable organization. 

Please follow my blog at http://supportjakebenton.wix.com/supportjakebenton to see the progress. Each ring will represent $3000 towards my goal.

 

            FILL MY RINGS TO FULFILL MY DREAMs!

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                       I will be forever indebted and grateful for your generosity!