United Way and Running America

For elite adventurer Charlie Engle, every day brings a new challenge. He has run through some of the most forbidding terrain on the planet and has learned many lessons about life along the way. With a lot of determination and the ability to endure hardships in every way, Charlie has moved from a life of drugs and alcohol to a life of understanding and learning to live with himself. After many years of sobriety, he has become a top athlete, spokesperson and philanthropist.

United Way is teaming up with Charlie and Running America to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and to raise funds to support the recently announced United Way goals to address the issue. Our goal is to inspire more people to get involved in their communities and become part of the change: give, advocate, volunteer. 

Beginning on September 13, 2008, in San Francisco CA and ending on or before October 27, 2008 in New York NY, “Running America” is an idea sparked by Charlie’s recent run across the Sahara Desert to help Africa, and his desire to draw attention to childhood obesity and youth fitness. This time the task will be to finish the run in 45 days to break the world record.

How you can get involved

Run with Charlie
Sign up to run with Charlie to raise money for youth fitness and witness history being made first hand. If you're along the route, you can sign up here for a one mile leg of the journey.

Support Our Efforts Targeting Childhood Obesity
Join United Way and Charlie Engle as we encourage youth to be more active and physically fit. Make a donation and help us increase by 1.9 million the number of youth who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors by 2018.

Join the LIVE UNITED movement
Help us inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. Join the LIVE UNITED movement to stay up to date on future opportunities to help improve people's health.