11 01 PARTICIPANT 20 GUIDE M TEA THON ARA PURPLE COMMUNITY M Participant Guide Contents

About Van Andel Institute & Purple Community 3 Aaron’s Story 4-5 Ways to Join Purple Community Team 6 Fundraising Requirements 7 Marathon Team Member Benefits 8 Resources to Support Marathon Team Runners 9 Registration Steps 10-11 Contact Information 12 About Van Andel Institute & Purple Community

Van Andel Institute is an independent biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premiere research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff.

Van Andel Institute is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute’s scientists work in on-site laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe.

Van Andel Institute Purple Community is a grassroots fundraising program whose dedicated volunteers support VAI’s mission of improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Purple Community volunteers host dozens of events each year that raise critical funds to support groundbreaking research into diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s, and science education programs at the Institute.

Purple Community volunteers support VAI for a number of reasons. Some have been personally impacted by the diseases being studied by world-class scientists at the Institute or know a friend or family member who has been affected. Others support the K–12 and Graduate School education programs at VAI that foster the next generation of scientific leaders. No matter how you give, 100% of any funds raised through your efforts go directly toward research and K-12 education initiatives.

3 Aaron’s Story

Aaron DeVos was surrounded by runners from every nation of the world as he bounded across the Varazzano-Narrows Bridge, connecting and , hundreds of feet above Harbor. Rising up from the morning mist, ’s towering landscape provided a backdrop for a day he would never forget — the day he completed the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of the Purple Community Marathon Team. DeVos trained rigorously for months leading up to the event, but nothing prepared him for the mental and physical demands that this world-class marathon required of him.

“The New York Marathon was extremely demanding in every way,” DeVos said. “As tough as it was, it was still a really great experience. You’re just soaking it all in as you run — the city, the energy, the cultural diversity of each of the neighborhoods, and the millions of people cheering you on … it’s really incredible.”

DeVos became a member of the Purple Community Marathon Team through his membership on the Institute’s young professionals board, the JBoard Ambassadors. A runner for more than 14 years, DeVos was approached to join the team and knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run in support of something he felt very strongly about — cancer research.

“Our family has been affected in a number of different ways when it comes to cancer,” DeVos said. “Knowing that you’re running for something bigger than yourself really motivates you to take on the challenge.” (Continued on next page.) 4 Aaron’s Story (continued)

In 2018, our 44 Purple Community Marathon Team participants ran in both the Bank of America and the TCS New York City Marathon and raised more than $90,000. Most of the team’s members traveled to the events from West Michigan, often motivated by a direct and personal connection to cancer or Parkinson’s disease.

When DeVos’ wife, Afton, was finishing high school she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and spent the end of her teenage years fighting for her life.

“My wife, Afton, is an 18-year cancer survivor,” DeVos said. “She won her battle, but had to fight it when she was just a teenager. I met her when she celebrated her five- year cancer free mark, so all of this really hits home for me.”

DeVos believes passionately in the Institute’s mission and research that might one day put an end to cancer and Parkinson’s. He runs because of the love he feels for his wife and his family, but also because he knows that his efforts give hope and encouragement to people who are in the fight for their lives. — Aaron DeVos

5 Ways to Join Purple Community Marathon Team

Entry Type Dates Available Required Fundraising Minimum

Drawing Period* Anytime (Or until our spots sell out Feb. 1, 2020 - Sept. 17, 2020 $3,000 if you want a guaranteed entry)

Anytime Anytime (If you secured your own entry) $500

*Includes NYC Marathon registration fee that is set by NYC Marathon at $255 for NYRR Members, $295 for NYRR nonmembers and $358 for U.S. nonresidents.

For more information on the NYC Marathon registration process, visit https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/. 6 Run with Purple Community for guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon!

Fundraising Requirements • When you join our Purple Community Marathon Team, you are committing to the required fundraising minimum. • Fundraising minimums may not be deferred (i.e., moved to another year or event).

Fundraising Expectations • If at any time during your training you become injured or are otherwise unable to participate in the event, you are still held to your fundraising minimum. If you withdraw prior to Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, and are able to find a valid replacement runner approved by Purple Community, you will be released from your fundraising minimum and only held accountable for a $75 registration transfer fee. If you elect to DEFER your entry to 2021, you may do so without penalty if you have achieved your fundraising minimum in the 2020 season. You will be responsible for covering 2021 race registration fees. • Fundraising minimums will be charged to the credit card you provide if the fundraising minimum is not met by the agreed upon date.

7 Marathon Team Member Benefits

• A welcome kit with official Purple Community Marathon Team gear. • Complimentary TCS New York City Marathon registration. This year’s race fees are $255 (U.S. Residents; NYRR Members) / $295 (U.S. Residents; NYRR Nonmembers) / $358 (residents outside of the U.S.) — that’s huge savings! • Invitation for you and a guest to attend the NYC Marathon Team pre-race brunch on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 in New York City! • Two complimentary tickets to attend Van Andel Institute’s Hope on the Hill Gala on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. • Access to training programs with experts in marathon running. • Team member contests for fabulous prizes! • Access to our Strava Club so you can connect with your teammates on their journey to race day!

8 Resources to Support Marathon Team Members

Fundraising contests and incentives We will have lots of exciting fundraising contests for amazing prizes!

Regular emails We will send monthly emails with training tips, important NYC Marathon information, fundraising tips and general reminders.

Closed Facebook group & Strava Club We will invite you to join our Marathon Team Facebook group for Purple Community Team members to use as a discussion forum.

We will also invite you to join our Strava Club so you can share your training and progress with your team.

9 To join our Purple Community Marathon Team and guarantee your entry into the TCS New York City Marathon, just follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Submit your application for Purple Community Marathon Team. 2. Once you do this, you will receive an email notification from Ashley Owen with a unique URL to register for the NYC Marathon, beginning on Feb. 26, 2020 when the non-guaranteed entry drawing takes place. 3. After you register on the NYC Marathon site, Ashley Owen will confirm your application. 4. Start training and raising funds to support cancer, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disease research at Van Andel Institute!

If you secured your own entry through the drawing period and would like to join our Marathon Team, you can do so by visiting purplecommunity.org and selecting the $500 fundraising minimum option.

NOTE: Purple Community has the ability to lobby for more guaranteed entries. If you are not selected for the first round of 20 spots available, we will be lobbying for additional spots through the Marathon Team and through other charity partners that wish to sell their extra spots. We will work through a waitlist process for those interested in one of these additional spots on the team.

NOTE: You must provide credit card information on both the Purple Community Marathon Team site and the NYC Marathon site. You WILL NOT be charged anything. However, this is a requirement to join. Purple Community is covering the cost for the NYC Marathon entry for you ($295 savings). The race registration fees for the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon are:

• $255 for NYRR members • $295 for NYRR nonmembers • $358 for U.S. nonresidents

10 Registration Steps (continued)

You need guaranteed charity entry for the TCS New York City Marathon (available now through Sept. 17, 2020 based upon completion of the application): Athletes who wish to bypass the TCS New York City Marathon registration process and secure a guaranteed entry may join our Purple Community Marathon Team. All participating runners will need to be invited and register for the TCS New York City Marathon through My NYRR by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020.

If you choose to guarantee your entry into the race by joining our team, you are committing to a required fundraising minimum of $3,000 for Van Andel Institute by the deadline of Oct. 31, 2020. If this minimum is not met, you will be charged the full amount to the credit card you provided, and/or will not be permitted to participate in the TCS New York City Marathon at Purple Community’s discretion.

Please note that this type of guaranteed entry is available on a first come, first serve basis. Runners who are unable to participatein the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon may cancel their entry and receive guaranteed entry to 2021 as long as they complete the minimum fundraising requirement by Oct. 31, 2020. Purple Community team members still need to complete their registration with the TCS New York City Marathon after they register with Purple Community. Runners who defer their entry to 2021 will be responsible for registering during the 2021 drawing application period and paying the race registration fee.

A link to officially register for the marathon will be sent to you shortly after you join our Purple Community Marathon Team. The marathon registration (covered by Purple Community) will be invoiced to Purple Community at the applicable standard fee for entry: $255 (U.S. Residents; NYRR Members) / $295 (U.S. Residents; NYRR Nonmembers) / $358 (residents outside of the U.S.). 11 Thank you for your interest in joining the Purple Community Marathon Team for the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon!

Questions? If you have any questions about information in this guide or about joining our Purple Community Marathon Team, please contact: Ashley K. Owen Van Andel Institute Purple Community Senior Event Coordinator [email protected] 616.234.5390