In preparation for World Diabetes Day on November 14, I’ll be serving up extra helpings of diabetes related posts to pump up your awareness and encourage your participation.

Team Diabetes is the adventure of a lifetime. A chance to give back to the community by raising money and awareness about this disease that affects more than 1 million Canadians. While the fundraising grows community spirit and awareness, the training for the marathon or half marathon or hike or cycling event you’ve registered for keeps you healthy and increases your chances of not having to live with diabetes in the first place.

Numerous times a year Team Diabetes organizes marathons around the world. Greece, Hawaii, Iceland, Prague, Easter Island, Victoria, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and more are on the calendar. Each marathon happens at a different time, so many teams are being joined simultaneously. The goal is to raise $6100 to be a member of Team Diabetes Rio and complete the marathon in July 2010.

If you’re interested in joining Team Diabetes, check out the upcoming registration deadlines or visit the Team Diabetes website for more information:

There are other Team Diabetes marathons planned for 2010 in London, Iceland and the one Bluefur will be tackling, Rio de Janeiro:

Rio de Janeiro, also known as the Marvelous City, is a place where people live life to the fullest. It is most famous for its annual Carnival celebration, but Rio is just as lively in the off-season, thriving year-round on sun, samba, sport, and shopping. You can play on Copacabana’s 4-kilometre playground, scour one of Rio’s many fabulous boutiques or indulge in Brazilian barbecue at a local Churrasco.

Participating in the Rio Marathon is the best way to enjoy Brazil’s spectacular landscape. You will run by world famous beaches as the marathon starts at Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach, goes along Barra da Tijuca, Sao Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo and ends at Flemengo Beach. All finishers receive an official T-shirt, a ‘goodie’ bag, and a finisher’s medal. In addition to the full and half marathons, the event also features a 6k Race for Peace which will be held at Flemengo Beach.

Be sure to contact your local Team Diabetes Coordinator before January 8, 2010 for additional information and to register for this exotic event destination.

In addition to support with your fundraising, you’ll also get personalized coaching from the Running Room to help you tackle the training. It’s nearly a year away, but that was the time frame I worked within for my Easter Island fundraising. Having a long lead time gives you 6 months to worry about the money and then 6 months to worry about the training.

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This post was written for BlueFur’s Blogathon in July. @bluefur and I are both on board for Team Diabetes Rio on July 18, 2010.