TOWSON, Md. – To Caitlin Adams running isn't just about how far and or how fast she can run. What's more important to her is that she's blessed with two legs to carry her anywhere she wants to go.

So on May 24^th this freshman from the Tiger cross country team wants to embark on a 305-mile fundraising run across Maryland, taking off from Cumberland and eventually arriving in Ocean City sometime on June 21^st.

Why?

"When I was a junior in high school, the word prosthetics kept repeating itself over and over in my mind," says Caitlin who hails from Preston, an Eastern Shore town of 719 residents. "I had no idea what the word meant. I looked it up in a dictionary and learned it was an artificial limb. It coincided with when I first started to run track and it hit me how much of a blessing it is to have two legs. I've since met people who need artificial limbs and have talked with them. I want to do something to make a difference and help make someone else's life better. So I decided to use my running ability to be able to do that."

Caitlin has never competed in a marathon, and figures her longest run has probably been 15 miles. In fact, she didn't give running much thought until her junior year after quitting the softball team at Colonel Richardson H.S. There wasn't a lot of emphasis on cross country or track at CRHS so she transferred to North Caroline H.S. for her senior year where better coaching helped her improve (she knocked 30 seconds off her mile time). She was hooked on running.

"During my childhood I went through a few rough patches that would knock anyone down emotionally," she says. "But I found an escape from all that in running. It's the one thing in life you can control. You can go as fast as you want and no one is going to stop you. Everyone deserves that."

Caitlin hatched this fundraising idea as Towson's 2014 cross country season was winding down. She is assuming all responsibility for the event's planning and marketing. In a short time she's made impressive progress.

"I really started to work on it this past fall when I got serious and said I'm going to do it next summer," she says. "Then I began looking at various charities and found some that looked interesting."

She selected Limbs for Life whose mission statement asserts, "We are dedicated to providing fully-functional prosthetic care to individuals who cannot afford it and raising awareness of the challenges facing amputees."

"I liked this one because they really don't limit who they help to receive the prosthetics," Caitlin says. "A lot of others support a particular group but Limbs for Life supports veterans, people who have been in accidents, and people who are born without limbs."

After several conversations with folks at Limbs for Life, Caitlin and the foundation constructed a website, www.runacrossmaryland.com, which recently went live. The early response is certainly encouraging with $6,000.00 in pledges.

In the next four months, Caitlin will be putting the pieces of her plan together; securing sponsorships, organizing a team to follow behind as she runs the route, and acquiring accommodations. She's been in touch with the Marriott Corporation and the Maryland Tourist Center for help.

Fans can learn more about Caitlin's fundraiser or make donations here.
Fans can learn more about the Limbs for Life organization here.