{"id":41790,"date":"2025-12-01T12:29:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T12:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adra.org\/?p=41790"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:26:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T21:26:27","slug":"running-with-purpose-meet-dietmar-adra-japans-tokyo-marathon-2026-charity-runner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/running-with-purpose-meet-dietmar-adra-japans-tokyo-marathon-2026-charity-runner","title":{"rendered":"Correr com um objetivo: Conhe\u00e7a Dietmar, o corredor de caridade da ADRA Jap\u00e3o na Maratona de T\u00f3quio 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This story was originally published by <\/em>ADRA Japan<\/em> and has been adapted for ADRA International.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the world, thousands of runners lace up their shoes not only to test their limits, but also to support causes that create meaningful change. The Tokyo Marathon Charity Program is one of the ways athletes transform personal goals into global impact. In this feature, we meet Dietmar, a Charity Runner from Sacramento, California, whose passion for running is matched by his commitment to helping others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running for Others, Not Just Himself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When asked what it means to participate in the Tokyo Marathon as a Charity Runner, Dietmar explained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the wonderful things about running is that runners don\u2019t just run for themselves, they can also run for their community or for others. Many marathon races have a purpose; they honor someone or something, whether it\u2019s protecting the environment or helping people in need. Being a Charity Runner is truly an honor for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For him, every mile is an opportunity to make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Family Connection to ADRA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dietmar\u2019s relationship with ADRA began long before he ever put on a race bib. When his children were young, the family made a tradition of choosing gifts from the ADRA Gift Catalog each Christmas. The catalog helped his children understand how their choices, like providing school supplies, livestock, or clean water, directly supported people in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That experience shaped his family\u2019s values. Years later, his daughter spent a year volunteering at a children\u2019s home in Zimbabwe, deepening their commitment to development and humanitarian work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cADRA has a wonderful mission,\u201d Dietmar said. \u201cWhen crises arise, they are there on the front lines, bringing help to those who need it most. I think that\u2019s truly wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Photo Credit: Dietmar Grellmann]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Running Became Part of His Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dietmar didn\u2019t grow up as a runner. His journey began in 2010, at age 41, through a company-wide 10,000-Step Challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI started getting up early to walk, and I really began enjoying that routine and that led me to running,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The turning point came during a Thanksgiving visit to his brother\u2019s family in Boston. His brother invited him to join a local Turkey Trot 5K, and the joy of that experience sparked what would become a global running adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running the World \u2014 With His Brother<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since then, Dietmar has completed the Boston, New York, Berlin, and Chicago Marathons. With only London left, he is close to finishing all six World Marathon Majors. Running the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity will bring him one step closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be running Tokyo with my brother, he\u2019s also a charity runner for ADRA Japan,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve already run New York, Berlin, and Chicago together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running has become a meaningful way for the brothers to stay connected, even though they live far apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They plan to arrive in Japan a week early to adjust to the time difference and explore the city. This will be Dietmar\u2019s second time in Japan; his first was in 2000 when his older brother was working in Fukuoka. He visited temples, shrines, and even attended a sumo match, experiences he hopes to expand on this time with his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Photo Credit: Dietmar Grellmann]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Keeps Him Motivated<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the things I love about running is that you\u2019re not competing against anyone else, you\u2019re competing only with yourself,\u201d Dietmar shared. \u201cYou set your own goals and find joy in achieving them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He trains consistently, running three times a week with long weekend runs of 8 to 20 miles (13\u201332 km). As part of his preparation for Tokyo, he also ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. in October with his brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reflected on why running has remained such an important part of his life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was never very good at team sports when I was young, but through running, I discovered something I was good at. It feels good to be good at something. I enjoy the entire process \u2014 training, nutrition, stretching, injury management, all of it. Marathon running is the only sport where everyone who puts in the effort can cross the finish line and receive a medal. That feeling of accomplishment when you give it your all and finish strong, that\u2019s what brings me the greatest satisfaction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead to the Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dietmar is focused and excited about the challenge ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always want to run a good time. I push myself and strive to do my best, but I also want to cross the finish line feeling strong and happy. Finding that balance between performance and enjoyment is important to me. The Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity is a very special race, so I really want to perform well and enjoy every moment of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His dedication reflects the spirit that drives ADRA\u2019s mission: compassion, service, and a commitment to uplifting others. Runners like Dietmar help expand ADRA\u2019s impact, turning every mile into hope for communities around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About ADRA Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ADRA Japan<\/strong> is part of the global ADRA network, working to provide emergency relief, long-term development, and community support both within Japan and internationally. Through partnerships, local engagement, and a commitment to compassion, ADRA Japan helps people overcome crises and build stronger futures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Em todo o mundo, milhares de corredores cal\u00e7am os seus t\u00e9nis n\u00e3o s\u00f3 para testar os seus limites, mas tamb\u00e9m para apoiar causas que criam mudan\u00e7as significativas.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":41791,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[780,615,827,619,814,783,792],"tags":[1139,426],"class_list":["post-41790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia","category-blog","category-faith-in-action","category-featured-blog-room","category-japan","category-north-america","category-united-states","tag-community-outreach","tag-volunteer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/46"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41790"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44918,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41790\/revisions\/44918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adra.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}