Central America is in the headlines. You can’t run away from the story of poverty, immigration and conflict. However, you can run to change this story. You can run for Central America and raise awareness and funding to help families thrive!
The Run for Central America team runs on behalf of ENLACE, a Central American community development organization with 25 years of experience mobilizing church and civic leaders to work together to transform their communities. Central America is in a place of extreme challenge, and the Run for Central America (R4CA) team is for anyone who wants to use their influence to make a real difference.

How can my church get involved?
If you are a church leader, and you are looking to get your people plugged in and serving in Central America, we want to partner with you. Our mission is to equip churches in both the U.S. and in Central America to transform their communities. We would love to come alongside you and your church in your efforts to raise up people with a heart for the world and release them for impact.
If you are interested in forming a running team at your church, reach out to Mark Haugen at mhaugen@enlace.link
If you are interested in learning about our ministry in Central America or sending a serving team, reach out to David McGee at dmcgee@enlace.link
I’m not a runner, how can I participate?
You may not be a runner. You may not even be a walker. Thankfully, previous experience is not what we are looking for on our team. We are looking for people that see the incredible poverty and challenge facing families in Central America, and they are willing to take on the challenge of training and running on behalf of these families. Our experience is that a motivated person with a willingness to put in the work and follow one of our training plans can run or walk to the finish line!
Are there other runners near me I can train with?
We are actively building training groups right now! While we have a couple of groups, we are looking for leaders like you that are willing to step up and say yes to organizing and encouraging a fellow group of runners. If you say yes, we will provide you with training guides and all of the other resources you need to succeed. If you want to say yes to this opportunity, reach out to:
South Barrington, IL contact Mark Haugen at: mhaugen@enlace.link
Normal, IL- contact Tommy Nika at: tnika@eastview.church
Columbia, MO – Contact David McGee at: dmcgee@enlace.link
Costa Mesa, CA – Contact Christine Nolf at: christine@
Tell me more about what my giving supports.
Your giving makes a life transforming impact in the lives of families in Central America. These are families living in extreme poverty on less than one dollar a day. Your giving helps them build latrines and install clean water systems, provide loans to women starting small businesses, repair roads and bridges, build schools and health clinics, construct homes and so much more. Your giving rebuilds communities, restores hope and helps families thrive.
Do you have training guides to help me prepare for my run?
Yes we do! We have a training and nutrition guide for endurance running, training schedules for novice and intermediate runners and specific training guides and schedules for run/walkers. We are here to do everything we can to help you succeed and exceed your wildest goals. Please check out this link where you will find everything you need:
Chicago Half Marathon Training Schedules
Long Beach Half Marathon Training Schedules
DesMoines Half Marathon Training Schedules