Half-mile sponsorships are sold out -- but you can still donate!

26.2 miles is a long, long way to go on foot. If you think about that when you set out to run a marathon, you’ll never make it.

Instead, you have to focus on the next step, the next tree, the end of this block. You have to break it down into small sections that are manageable. You do them one at a time. That’s how you get across the finish line.

And that’s what I’m asking you to help me do: get across the finish line. I’ll be running the Boston Marathon on April 21 to support the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, an amazing program in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, near my company’s headquarters. (Check out the video.) You can help by sponsoring a half-mile of the marathon. Each half-mile sponsorship is $50 (tax deductible). You simply tell me which half-mile is yours and I’ll add your name to my blog (below) to stake your claim to that section of the marathon. And please consider sponsoring more than one half-mile.

Here's my promise to you. As I’m running, I’ll keep this list in my hand the entire way, and I will remember each and every person who helps me get there as I run each half-mile section.

Here’s how to sponsor your half-mile:

* Online. Go to the Respite Center's donation page and use your credit card or PayPal account. In the “Purpose” field, be sure to type "John Hyde, Boston Marathon." This is important as it’s the only way that the Respite Center can track who you're sponsoring (to meet the minimum sponsorship criteria of $2,500).

* By check. Send a check made out to "The Respite Center." Send it to:

John Hyde
946 Anderson Circle
Woodland, CA 95776

After you make your donation, please send me an e-mail to let me know which half-mile you’re claiming as yours, and I’ll add your name after that section of the marathon (below). Then check back periodically to see the progress we’re making together toward completing this marathon and helping the Respite Center.