How It All Started | About The Foundation | The Scholarship Fund
The Idea
On November 18th, 2006 my friend and running partner Lance Aldridge and I attempted to run 100 miles in 24 hours. Why? Well, I love challenges and wanted to do a “different” (and crazy) event for charity. I’d had enough of those sit-down dinner events, and I am a firm believer in dreaming big … and 100 miles … is VERY BIG. Plus, it was item #4 on my “10 Things To Do” in my lifetime list.
We set a goal to raise $1 million dollars for charity. I told my friends that I’d personally match the first $500,000 in donations and started to spread the word. By the day of the race we had raised over $1. 2 million dollars … with no advertising . What started as a simple idea, turned into a movement. I set up a blog so my friends could follow my daily workout routines and before you knew it, we had over 1.2 million hits on the site…and then, it was SHOWTIME.
22 hours and 43 minutes later….One less thing on the “To Do” list.
Opinions
The 100 Mile run brought a lot of interest from some remarkable people. There were the “believers” (thanks, Coach K!), and the “non-believers” (Elton Brand). These are some of the pre-run quotes:
“Jesse has the heart and the insanity to do this! I just hope his running is better then his outside shooting. That said, we are honored that the Emily K Center is one of the beneficiaries of this event and obviously will be rooting hard on November 17th.” - Coach K
“Two words homie…NO WAY. But I still love ya.” - Elton Brand
“I remember when we were performing at the NBA All Star Game in San Francisco. Jesse dropped us off, went for an hour run in the POURING RAIN, and then came back to the soundcheck soaked. The boy is CRAZY.” - DMC
“The guy doesn’t look that athletic, but he is fun to go out with!” - Tom Brady
“I have known Jesse for 20 years. I knew him as a rapper… I knew him as a record executive… and I know him as a runner. That’s my BOY… and he got this one.” - Dougie
The Race
100 Miles. It is the equivalent of running from Manhattan…to Greenwich, CT…back to Manhattan..and then running the NY Marathon…TWICE. However, I never once thought about the distance (it’s too far). Never checked to see what time of 
day it was (it’s too long). I just programmed my mind to do 100 miles (not a step more or a step less). I lived in the moment and broke the race down to 24, one hour races. My body followed my mind. I’m convinced that if you know how to truly program yourself and really visualize….you can perform unthinkable feats.
The Recap
The 100 Mile run was a great moment. A moment you can’t buy…you have to earn. And once it’s earned…nobody can take it away from you. This summer’s City to the Sand ride will give over 100 riders the opportunity to feel the same thrill and emotion that I felt after completing the 100 mile run. And, for each $10,000 raised, you will be sending a deserving student to college…for 4 years…FULL TUITION!