Thank you so much for supporting my Bank of America Chicago Marathon journey! This year, I am proud and grateful to run on behalf of Culligan and Catholic Charities of Chicago.  Culligan International is a global water treatment and filtration company. It provides soft water, drinking water systems, and filtration products for homes, offices, and industrial facilities. Catholic Charities is an organization that brings hope, dignity, and critical support to individuals and families across Cook and Lake counties. From food and shelter to counseling, senior services, family support, and so much more, Catholic Charities meets our neighbors in moments of real need. This marathon is more than a race for me. It is an opportunity to serve. I volunteer at my local parish in Waukegan, Illinois—Most Blessed Trinity Parish—as a catechist for the Young Adults Confirmation class. I also help create the PowerPoint for the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, including the Mass Ordinance and worship songs, to help lead the faithful in prayer and worship. Following Christ through service is a blessing, and this fundraiser is another meaningful way for me to give back and support those who need help the most. This is my first fundraising event, and I am honored to do it with Catholic Charities. My wife, Ana Guzman, and my sister-in-law, Karina Guzman, both work at Catholic Charities, and they helped inspire me to take my running journey to the next level by using this blessing to raise money for people in need. Their commitment to this mission has shown me firsthand how much love, compassion, and hard work go into serving our community every day. Professionally, I work as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Culligan, based out of the Libertyville, Illinois manufacturing and distribution location. Our work focuses on water solutions and treatment systems for homes, businesses, and industrial applications. I work closely with the Commercial and Industrial division on special engineering projects that help meet water requirements for customers in medical, food and beverage, data centers, hotels, and production companies. I am thankful to be part of work that supports people’s needs, and I am excited to carry that same spirit of service into this marathon. I have run Chicago races for the past two years and have proudly represented Culligan at these events. Now, I am excited to share this 2026 marathon experience with Catholic Charities and use every mile to do good for the community. Running has become a meaningful part of my life, and I hope to continue as long as my body allows me to enjoy it! This year’s training is more intense, and I am coming back to the marathon with focus, preparation, and gratitude. Every weekend, I am putting in long runs to build my endurance and strength. My goal is to run a sub-3:45 marathon, and I know I will need all the support, prayers, and encouragement I can get along the way. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference. Your donation helps Catholic Charities continue providing hope and help to our neighbors in crisis. When you give, you are not just supporting my race; you are supporting families, seniors, children, and individuals who are facing difficult moments and need someone to walk with them. Thank you for believing in me, for supporting this mission, and for being part of this journey every step of the way. I am truly blessed by the love and encouragement of my family, friends, church community, and company. I can’t wait to represent all of you on race day. Your donation, prayers, and support mean more than you know.