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The THunder Run Crew

What's needed:

The primary responsibility of the crew is to assist the runner during the run portion of the day and to provide as much recovery time as needed for the runner during the post-run time of the day.

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In general, this includes:

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  • support vehicle prep (pickup truck), stocking of supplies needed for the day’s run, organization

  • moving support vehicle and trailer into and out of campgrounds, on roads, hooking and unhooking trailer and utilities

  • runner support during run

  • food prep throughout the day

  • stocking of RV for supplies needed throughout the week

  • keeping both RV and support vehicle clean, undamaged, and organized as the rig progresses across the country

  • basic navigation, keeping runner and caravan on route and ensuring that segment miles are covered

  • assist with media/interviews as comfortable

What's Needed

other details:

How well the crew functions does have an impact on how the caravan progresses across the country and the message EMF is providing to the families fighting NB and to the donors that sponsor each segment!  But because crewing is challenging it is also very rewarding.  While much of the crew’s day will be spent assisting the runner, it is not all work.  There is time to rest, play and explore!

 

Valid driver’s license is required. Crew is responsible for getting to and from their segment start and end points. Food, lodging in RV, and linens are provided for crew.

 

Crewing is hard work! Our crews donate their time and cover their own transport costs to and from their start/end points. The gift of crewing considerably lowers our out of pocket cost and thus makes the amount we can give kids considerably greater! A huge thank you to our crew members for their generous donation and caring for our runner, we couldn’t do it without you!
 

The Research

Segment 1

Emery Smith | JULY 6-11, 2020

Dana Point, CA to Amboy, CA | 167.98 Miles

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Kyle is the executive director of Beat NB which is the research group we have partnered with for Emery's Thunder Run. AJ is one of his best friends and also the creative director of Beat NB. They will be not only crewing but also filming a documentary all about Peter, Emery and why fundraisers like Emery's Thunder Run is needed.

Segment 2

Rachel Howland | JULY 12-18, 2020

Amboy, CA to Kingman, AZ | 168.4 Miles

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Paul is Emery's Papa and has always been a big part of Emery's life. They always had fun playing at the park, feeding the birds and splashing in the pool. He is crewing this segment of the run in honor of his granddaughter.
1 and 2

Segment 3

Natalie Willard | JULY 19-25, 2020

Kingman, AZ to Grand Canyon, AZ | 167.73 Miles

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Robin is Peter's wife and is a big part of this run behind the scenes. She is also dedicating her time to crewing this segment of the run! We couldn't do it without her!

Segment 4

Grand Canyon, AZ to Kayenta, AZ | 168.45 Miles

Robin is Peter's wife and a big part of this run behind the scenes.

Lisa is close friend's with Emery's Grandparents and Parents and we are so thankful to always have her continued support!

Emma Basting | JULY 26-August 1, 2020

3 and 4

Segment 5

GG Hurley | august 2-8, 2020

Kayenta, AZ to Naturita, CO | 168.33 Miles

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Phred and Daveena are long time friends with our runner and his wife. They go way back, like 17 years! They are beyond excited to support Emery's Memory Foundation and their good friend Peter as he goes on this amazing journey.

Segment 6

Kenna Chamberlain | august 9-15

Naturita, CO to Glenwood Springs, CO | 168.01 Miles

lizzys family.jpg

Phred and Daveena are long time friends with our runner and his wife. They go way back, like 17 years! They are beyond excited to support Emery's Memory Foundation and their good friend Peter as he goes on this amazing journey.

5 and 6

Segment 7

Zoe Figueroa 

august 16-22, 2020

Glenwood Springs, CO to Denver, CO | 168.43 Miles

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Dave and Amy are committed to crewing Peter as he runs through Segment 7. Amy is also a runner and has run through this specific area before and will be a great crew person to take Peter through the mountains. Her husband is the owner of The Rock Stone & Landscaping and they also sponsored over 7 miles of Emery's Thunder Run! 

Scarlett Ornelas and Izzy McCullah

august 23-29, 2020

Denver, CO to Idalia, CO | 168.75 Miles

Segment 8

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Maggie- I’m Peter’s daughter and I’m so excited to be crewing my dad with my sister Naomi. It’s amazing to watch my dad selflessly run across America because he is so passionate about finding a cure for Neuroblastoma and childhood cancer so I’m looking forward to being a part of something so important with two of my favorite people.

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Naomi- I wasn’t planning on crewing but this opportunity came all of a sudden and it just seemed perfect! I couldn’t be more excited to help crew my dad, along with my sister! I can’t wait to honor Emery along with each one of the Team Emery Kid’s.

7 and 8

Segment 9

Nori West | august 30-September 5, 2020

Idalia, CO to Glade, KS | 167.98 Miles

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I was nervous at first about crewing solo, but now I’m looking forward to the challenge! I don’t have to look far for inspiration, I have 23 very precious reasons that I crew, Emery’s Memory Foundation Thunder Run Kids!

My personal reasons for my commitment are my granddaughter Emery Smith, my son Zachary Smith- Em’s dad, and my brother Peter Halper- the Runner. I watched Emery fight the beast for 365 days- a fighter to the end, I watched Zachary lovingly parent Emery through every day of her battle- his strength beyond compare, and I will watch my brother Peter run 3,100 miles- there’s no doubt he will suffer many of those miles.

Our 22 Thunder Run kids inspire me. Emery, Zach, and Pete are my reasons. 

Segment 10

Mason Norris | september 6-12, 2020

Glade, KS to Blaine, KS | 168.12 Miles

Missy segment 2.jpg

I was nervous at first about crewing solo, but now I’m looking forward to the challenge! I don’t have to look far for inspiration, I have 23 very precious reasons that I crew, Emery’s Memory Foundation Thunder Run Kids!

My personal reasons for my commitment are my granddaughter Emery Smith, my son Zachary Smith- Em’s dad, and my brother Peter Halper- the Runner. I watched Emery fight the beast for 365 days- a fighter to the end, I watched Zachary lovingly parent Emery through every day of her battle- his strength beyond compare, and I will watch my brother Peter run 3,100 miles- there’s no doubt he will suffer many of those miles.

Our 22 Thunder Run kids inspire me. Emery, Zach, and Pete are my reasons. 

9 and 10

Segment 11

Nathan Tuder and Gabby Goodwin

 september 13-19, 2020

Blaine, KS to Kansas City, MO | 129.15 Miles

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Zach and Jenna are Emery's parents. The love they have for their daughter will never end and they will continue to fight until childhood cancer is a priority.

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Quinn and Christine are best friend's with Emery's parents and a big part of keeping Emery's memory alive.

Segment 12

Bailey Bennett | september 20-26, 2020

Kansas City, MO to Moberly, MO | 140.18 Miles

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Ed and Serena are Emery's grandparents. They have always been a big part of Emery's life and continue to be so.

11 and 12

Segment 13

Collin Pruitt | september 27-October 3, 2020

Moberly, MO to Springfield, IL | 162.37 Miles

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Gretchen and Deb are friends of Peter, the runner's, family. They are both donating their time and energy to crewing this segment of Emery's Thunder Run. Gretchen and Deb are ready to bring the Thunder to Childhood Cancer!

Segment 14

Lincoln Schrock | october 4-10, 2020

Springfield, IL to Hillsboro, IN | 161.25 Miles

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Jeni and Kathy are friends of Peter and Robin. These two are ready for an adventure and to support this awesome cause. They're going to support Peter for 161.25 miles to remember Lincoln.

13 and 14

Segment 15

Caleb Gunawan | october 11-17, 2020

Hillsboro, IN to Piqua, OH | 162.32 Miles

lizzys family.jpg

Phred and Daveena are long time friends with our runner and his wife. They go way back, like 17 years! They are beyond excited to support Emery's Memory Foundation and their good friend Peter as he goes on this amazing journey.

Taryn Jorvig | october 18-24, 2020

Piqua, OH to Cambridge, OH | 162.05 Miles

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Cari is a family friend and former co-worker of Peter's (the runner) wife, Robin.  She and her husband Dan knew they had to get involved when they saw Segment 16 started right in Dan’s tiny home town of Piqua, OH!   They’re both excited to support this amazing adventure and to bring awareness and support to Emery’s Memory Foundation! 

15 and 16

Segment 17

Nora Zelko | october 25-31, 2020

Cambridge, OH to Somerset, PA | 161.88 Miles

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:  Marcel and Heather have known the runner and his family for many years.  They are inspired beyond words by the effort Peter is making in honor of Emery and so many others.  They are excited to support his run and perhaps even run a few miles alongside him!  

Segment 18

Azalea Coolidge | november 1-7, 2020

Somerset, PA to Gatchellville, PA | 162.23 Miles

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Aaron and Susie are close friends with Peter and his wife Robin. Aaron will also be running the entire segment with Peter. We are so excited to have them be apart of our run!

17 and 18
Get Involved

FOr Emery

We Will Change This

Segment 19

Axton Norman and Aidan Rawls

 november 8-13, 2020

Gatchellville, PA to Cape Henlopen, DE | 152.98 Miles

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Paul and Missy are Emery's grandparents. They have been a big part of Emery's life from the beginning and are now a big part of keeping her memory alive.

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