WISEuv

We are less than ONE week away from race day! For our final Marathon Monday, we are featuring not one, but TWO amazing members of Team WISE: Jill Schilp and Sawyer Blais. This will be their first time running the Covered Bridges Half Marathon, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them on Team WISE!

We asked why they joined Team WISE and Jill shared: “Sawyer and I are running with Team WISE because we believe that the work that WISE does for anyone in the Upper Valley is beyond immeasurable. As someone who struggles with mental health and depression myself, I know that having a supportive surrounding environment is very important and being able to call or talk to anyone in a time of need can save someone's life.” Jill and Sawyer train together and make the miles go by with conversations about their days, future plans, and plenty of chit-chat. Sometimes, they say, just running side by side is relaxing and enjoyable. Sawyer also shared one of their favorite running games: “Trying to spot as many cats in house windows as possible!” And when it comes to pre-race rituals, Sawyer shared: “You must eat pasta the night before! No exceptions!” Sounds like a delicious ritual to us!

Check out https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/JillianSchilp and https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/SawyerBlais

We’re just a little over a month away from race day, and we’re excited to shout out another incredible member of Team WISE: Becky Wetterhahn! Becky has run the Covered Bridges Half Marathon so many times she’s lost count!

When asked, why she chose Team WISE, Becky said “The work WISE does in our community is invaluable and I will be forever grateful for the support they provide.” Becky has been running since her freshmen year of high school. Over the years, she’s run with Team WISE and other nonprofit teams, paced the race twice, and also ran as an individual. To make training fun Becky likes to take long runs with Upper Valley Running Club and her running buddies whenever she can. And what is she looking forward to most after crossing the finish line? “Snacks and sleep!”

We’ll make sure to have plenty of snacks waiting for you at the finish line! Check out Becky’s fundraising page at https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/BeckyWetterhahn

Welcome to another Marathon Monday! We are overjoyed that our entire Prevention and Education Program team (PEP Squad) is running in this year’s Covered Bridges Half Marathon. You’ve already met Emily and Fiona, now it’s time to meet the final member of the squad: Phoebe Lea Parrish!

Phoebe shared her reason for running on Team WISE: “Being on the prevention team at WISE I see every day how our programming and services are building a safer and more supportive community.” This will be Phoebe’s first race longer than a 5K and before signing up for the CBHM, running wasn’t her go-to form of movement. “You are much more likely to find me lifting weights at the CCBA or taking a yoga class. Since starting training, running has started to grow on me and is something I would like to continue after the race is over.” One thing that keeps her motivated? Exploring new routes: “Vermont and New Hampshire are so beautiful. It’s fun to change up the scenery each week and start noticing more and more signs that Spring is almost here!” And her go-to song? “Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen. The name speaks for itself. Timeless and inspiring.”

Phoebe, we think you were born to run for Team WISE! Check out Phoebe's fundraising page at https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/PhoebeParrish

We’re so honored that Dartmouth College’s Student & Presidential Committee on Sexual Assault (SPCSA) is hosting their 3rd annual 5K Run/1K Walk fundraiser in support of WISE!!

Baker Library Lawn, Hanover
Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 AM

Join us for a meaningful morning filled with community, food, and live music. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidewalks, everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there!
To register: https://dartgo.org/spcsa5k26

Spring has sprung and it’s starting to get a lot easier for our Covered Bridges Half Marathon runners to train outside. For this week’s Marathon Monday, we’re excited to spotlight one of our amazing prevention educators, Fiona Greenough!

When asked about her training Fiona told us, “One of the ways I make training fun is by listening to Bad Bunny and dancing along while I run. I even do some fist pumps in the air and play air drums to the beat. It really helps with morale! I’m my own cheerleader in my head and pump myself up when it gets hard.”

We love that energy, Fiona, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way! Check out Fiona’s fundraising page: https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/FionaGreenough

The countdown is on and we’re just over two months away from the 2026 Covered Bridges Half Marathon! For today’s Marathon Monday we’re excited to highlight an amazing runner and staff member, Emily Cousens Weir.

Emily has been running for 22 years! “I started running in 6th grade when I joined the middle school cross-country team and just loved the whole process of training and being part of a team. I ran track and xc on my high school and college teams and have trained for races a little bit on-and-off since then. I had my first baby, Austin, in December of 2024 and got back into running consistently last Summer. CBHM will be my first half marathon since having a baby!” When asked ‘Why Team WISE?’ Emily shared, “I work here! I’m part of the Prevention Team at WISE so I get to see first-hand how our services impact the community. It makes me so proud to work for such an incredible organization, I am so excited to rep WISE at CBHM this year.”

To make training fun Emily runs with friends whenever she can. She shared this fun fact, “Did you know that being side-by-side with someone eases our tendency to evaluate and monitor ourselves socially, which frees up cognitive space for language and storytelling so conversation flows more freely? Running with friends = amazing heart-to-hearts that make miles fly by.”

We can’t wait to celebrate with you at the finish line Emily!! Check out Emily's fundraising page at https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/EmilyCousensWeir

It’s Marathon Monday! Today we’re highlighting a returning runner, Pepper Joseph running Covered Bridges Half Marathon!

This is Pepper’s second year running the CBHM with Team WISE! She shared with us, “I’m proud to be raising money for such an important organization providing critical advocacy and support to those in need. Safe and healthy love should be a right for everyone—and together, we must break cycles of abuse and create safe spaces for those impacted.” Pepper also shared: “running is something that grounds me and holds me. It helps me come into my body, move with hard things, or create space away from them. Running makes me feel free, strong, and confident, and it continues to be a vessel for growth.” Some of Pepper’s favorite places to run include Pine Park, the West Side Highway, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Boston Esplanade. “I’m so excited to be running my second half marathon for Team WISE and supporting their work to build safer, healthier futures for our community.”

We’re excited too Pepper!! Check out Pepper's fundraising page: https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/PepperJoseph

It’s Marathon Monday and we are excited to highlight Kathy McCarty-Green running Covered Bridges Half Marathon!

When asked, “Why Team WISE?” Kathy shared, “WISE’s work means so much to me. They provide safety, support, and advocacy when people need it most, and as someone who works in the nonprofit world, I truly value that impact. Running my first half marathon while supporting WISE feels powerful and purposeful!” Kathy has only been running for about a year, “but my connection to running has really grown over the past several months as it’s become a big part of my mental and physical health.” To keep training fun, she mixes up her routes, runs outside as much as possible, and keeps things interesting with music and podcasts. Her go-to running song? “Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks, “Anything that makes me feel strong and determined!” After the race, Kathy is most looking forward to “Crossing the finish line knowing I followed through on something that once felt impossible and celebrating the support and funds raised for WISE.”

We can’t wait to celebrate with you Kathy!! To support Kathy, check out her fundraising page at https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/KathleenMcCarty

Happy Marathon Monday! This week’s spotlight is on Denise Mueller Inspired183 Project Speed running the Covered Bridges Half Marathon with Team WISE!

Denise chose to run with Team WISE because our work “closely aligns with the anti-human trafficking work that my Rotary and Soroptimist clubs do. I have been an active member of these organizations since 2001 & 1997 respectively.” Denise has an impressive athletic resume. She shares, “I started running in 2010 when I set a goal to run my first marathon, the Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, and then I just kept going. My true superhero claim to fame is actually on a bicycle. I used to race bicycles and have won 18 National Championships, set a few world records … including the craziest one that still holds, which is a Guinness World Book Record as the fastest cyclist in the world at 183.9 mph!” She’s running CBHM to check Vermont off her goal of completing a half marathon in every state. This will mark her 41st state! She’s also about to complete another extraordinary goal: running a marathon on every continent, finishing with the Kilimanjaro Marathon in Africa in March 2026. After the race, Denise is looking forward to a hot shower, a well-earned nap, and a celebratory dinner.

We’re excited to have you on our team Denise!! Check out her fundraising page at https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/DeniseMueller

We have been a Covered Bridges Half Marathon nonprofit partner for an amazing 11 years! We are thrilled to kick off a new season of Marathon Mondays featuring our incredible Team WISE runners!

Grace, a first time runner on our team and CBHM, has been training during these dark and cold winter days! She shares that it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to give back to WISE as “their help & support was invaluable to me.” Grace has been running since she was 16 and loves running with her friends. “We have great conversations together and they help me to stay motivated. Also, I try to run in bright colors too which makes it fun!” After the race Grace will be celebrating with her friends.

You go Grace! Check out her fundraising page: https://secure.frontstream.com/2026-covered-bridges-half-marathon/participant/GraceWallace