Couch To 5K and beyond!

What’s your resolution this year?

Whether it’s running a 5k/10k for the first time or trying to break your personal record, we got you covered.

Start your year with a Bang!

Note that the first OPEN run on Feb 9th is free but to continue with the program these are the registration fee.
Try the exhaustive package - the expertise and training + Entry to Asha Spring Run 2020 for just $40!
Or opt just for the training package at $20!

Register for the program!

RSVP now to attend the FREE open run Feb 9th (Sunday) 10 AM at Baylands Park, Sunnyvale!

RSVP Now
I joined the Asha running program with the aim of learning how to train for a Half Marathon. I never thought that by the end of the season running would become a habit and not only did I finish a Half Marathon but I completed a Full Marathon as well. The training program is very well thought out and simply following the program is enough to achieve your goals. The program involves different types of workouts and gradually increases the mileage which not only makes you stronger but makes you enjoy running. The program has a healthy blend of beginner, intermediate and experienced runners who keep you motivated and foster a sense of community. I would recommend the Asha Running program to everyone and I am grateful to the Asha running coordinators, coaches, mentors and fellow runners”Jaideep Joshi

Running – Newbie

  • A new goal!

    This is your chance to give a good start to a habit that creates endorphins and improves fitness! Find like-minded peers and mentors who will eventually become your extended circle!

  • Why Asha?

    Experienced coaches and captains who will be there with you in every step and an organized training plan. The program is completely driven by a bunch of volunteers who are passionate about running and for the cause of Asha for Education.

  • We run so they can read!

    Average amount needed to support a kid for a year in India is $60. Change 3 kids lives by sparing a small amount of your time. To make this effort worthwhile for the various volunteers putting in their time, we request for a minimum fundraising target of 200$ per person.

TIMELINE

  • Registrations Open

    The registration opens on January 19th, 2020.

  • Open Run

    Free for all (No need for registration) on Feb 9th, 2020 10 AM – Baylands Park, Sunnyvale. RSVP Now!

  • Registration Close & Recommitment Deadline

    Feb 17, 2020 – This is the last date to register for the program / withdraw from the program. Anyone who continues to train beyond this date will be required to fundraise the minimum amount.

  • Target Run

    Asha Spring Run, March 22nd 2020

  • Fundraising Deadline

    March 31st, 2020

If you are worried about committing to the program, we invite you to the first run which are open to all without a need for enrollment or a commitment to fundraise.

By 2nd weekend run, you would be required to ‘recommit’ to our program: a commitment to finish your fundraising target as per our deadline.

Minimum FR Target : $200
Fundraising Deadline: March 31st
All the money raised through this program gets distributed among 20+ NGOs that we work with across India.
Donors like you help us ensure that kids don’t just attend school and they actually learn. We support our project partners in India who have diverse education needs – it could be a supplementary school, school with special needs, vocational training classes or digital education.To give a brief idea of some of our projects:

To learn more about our projects and locations, please visit http://sv.ashanet.org/projects/.

Asha for Education is a 100% transparent and volunteer driven organization. Every single $ you raise are distributed to our projects. All the coaches train athletes for no cost and in fact they fund raise just like any other athlete enrolled in our program. As much as $20 makes a year’s worth of difference to a child.

  1. Start your fundraising early – this helps in reaching out to more people and raise way more than your minimum target.
  2. Most of the profit companies in the Bay Area do company matching. All your donations can be doubled by applying for company match. Learn more about it here.
  3. Every single hour you volunteer for ANY NGO can be used towards your fundraising through ‘volunteer hour grants’.
  4. Another great way to fundraise is to organize a lunch sale at your workplace or in your friends circle. You also get a chance to explain about various projects Asha supports. Read this article to see how a Alumni raised funds.
  5. Lose your inhibitions – you are asking people to donate for a great cause. It’s important to explain why you are training through Team Asha and how proud your donors should be because they are helping every child in leading a better life!
  6. If you are artsy & crafty, this will be an amazing way to show your talent. You can ask people to donate towards your FR for every item you sell.
  7. General donations to Asha for Education by the athlete in the same fiscal year can be accounted towards FR target. (donations to fundraising campaigns such as Work An Hour, Support A Child etc and events will not be considered).
  8. Tips from our Asha alumni.
    Be sure to attend our fundraising clinic to learn more!
I have never raised money for a cause. How do I raise 200 dollars?
This is a very valid concern that every new member of Team Asha has. We will help you with ideas, materials, fundraising clinics etc to help you with your fundraising. During every weekend training, your group captain will help you keep on track. Till date, more than 80% of our runners have raised more than the minimum fundraising targets.
What happens if I am unable to meet my fundraising target?
Team Asha mentors and other Asha volunteers will work with you throughout the program and beyond to help you honor your pledge of raising the target amount. Please see this program as a means of supporting and encouraging the underprivileged children and not simply a running-training program. Without your fundraising efforts, it would be difficult for Asha to continue supporting these projects. We urge you to do your best to honor your commitment in helping these children. If in the end you still fail to reach the target then you are required to cover the balance by yourself.
Where do the funds I raise go?
Asha for Education is a 100% volunteer driven organization. Asha-SV has a list of projects we support every year. 100% of your donation goes towards the projects because our operating expenses will be covered by the registration fee you pay. If you want to donate to a particular project of your interest, please contact sv.projects@ashanet.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Couch to 5k/10k program all about?
Come and get training from our very experienced coaches who have been associated with Asha for more than 10 years. This program will include a 6 week training plan starting Feb 9 that will help any new or returning runners to work towards the Asha Spring Run in March, 2020. This program includes a fundraising component (which is standard across all our training programs). Registered runners will be required to commit towards raising $200 by March 31st. These funds will be utilized entirely towards non-profit efforts to educate children in India.
What are the costs that I need to bear?
$40 ticket covers training & guidance, food during training runs AND target run race registration (worth $35)!
$20 ticket covers training & guidance, food during training runs.
When and where are the training runs?
All training runs will be in one of the parks in South Bay on Sunday mornings.
What does the Team Asha training program provide?
1. A comprehensive training package conducted by professional, experienced coaches.
2. Schedules for everyday training. This will be a well-paced training program consisting of hard-training days, easy-training days, rest days, suggestions for cross-training, strength training and more.
3. Draw from the experience of coaches and past runners.
4. Network with past marathoners and fellow runners in the local community.
5. Contribute towards improving education for underprivileged kids .
What kind of commitment is expected from the runners?
1. Train for about 6 weeks
2. Join the entire group for a weekly long run (Sundays).
3. Do short runs or cross-training with mentors once or twice a week.
4. Raise funds as mentioned in Fund Raising page.
5. Join in the socials and parties, make merry and enjoy with fellow runners.
Is there a minimum fitness-level requirement?
There isn’t a minimum fitness level to join the training program. However, as with any exercise program, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before beginning physical training.

Every year we get a lot of runners who are new to endurance sports, especially running. 99% of first-time runners have successfully completed both full and half marathons.

What is Asha for Education?
Asha for Education is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to bringing socio-economic change in India using primarily the medium of education. To read more about Asha’s charter and projects please visit our website.
What is Team Asha?
Team Asha is a premier endurance sports program that trains people for half and full marathons. It is organized by the Silcon Valley chapter of Asha for Education and is one of its key avenue for raising funds.
Through this program, we hope to encourage people – both new to the world of endurance running as well as experienced runners – to make a physical and fiscal commitment to help provide a better future for underprivileged children in India.
I have never raised money for a cause. How do I raise funds?
This is a valid concern that many new members of Team Asha have. We will help you with ideas, materials, fundraising clinics, etc., to help you with your fundraising. To date, over 99% of our runners have successfully met their fundraising target.
What happens if I am unable to meet my fundraising target?
Team Asha mentors and other Asha volunteers will work with you throughout the program and beyond to help you honor your pledge of raising the target amount. Please see this program as a means of supporting and encouraging the underpriviliged children and not simply a marathon-training program. Without your fundraising efforts, it would be difficult for Asha to continue supporting these projects. We urge you to do your best to honor your commitment in helping these children. If in the end you still fail to reach the target then you are required to cover the balance by yourself.
Where do the funds I raise go?
The funds raised will go towards some selected projects. You will have the opportunity to learn about the projects for which you’ll be helping to raise money.
How much money actually goes towards the cause?
Our operating expenses are minimal and are covered with funds raised through special events like the Spring Run as well as the registration fees that you pay. Hence 100% of the funds you raise will go to projects.
When does the program begin? Is there a last date to join?
The program begins on February 9th, 2020. Registrations open on Jan 19th and close on February 17th.
My question is not answered above!
Please send an email to run@sv.team-asha.org.