13 Miles In Armor (For Charity)

December 16, 2005 8:01 AM

13 Miles In Armor (For Charity). On August 9 of this year, 6-year old Katie Johnson lost her battle with cancer. Katie's father is Albin Johnson, founder of the 501st Legion (the premiere Star Wars Costuming Fan Club). In January 2006, Cheralyn Lambeth, a member of the Carolina 501st, will run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in her honor, to raise money for the American Cancer Society ... and she will do it in head-to-toe Stormtrooper Armor.
posted by grabbingsand (33 comments total)

Someone is raising money for charity by running a marathon in costume? How novel.
posted by jack_mo at 8:08 AM on December 16, 2005

People really seem to lose their mind when a child dies.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 8:21 AM on December 16, 2005

Selfishness knows no limits.
posted by jsavimbi at 8:29 AM on December 16, 2005

I sympathize with the child's family and friends, and I admire that money is being raised for a good cause, but I somehow suspect that Ms. Lambeth just really wanted an excuse to try to run a half-marathon in Stormtrooper armor.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:29 AM on December 16, 2005

I do this all the time but no one ever gives me money! in fact, I'm doing it right now and posting this comment from an iPaq or whatever it's called!
posted by mcsweetie at 8:38 AM on December 16, 2005

There was someone who did the New York marathon in Stormtrooper armor. Don't know how far he made it; in the photo I saw, he was walking and holding the helmet in his hands.
posted by Godbert at 8:40 AM on December 16, 2005

I like the reclusive nerds better. The attention-seeking ones offend me.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:45 AM on December 16, 2005

the Cheralyn Lambeth link just takes me to the microsoft home page
posted by edgeways at 8:47 AM on December 16, 2005

I want to see someone rob a bank in storm trouper armor
posted by delmoi at 8:49 AM on December 16, 2005

What does running marathons for cancer really accomplish? Why not raise money by asking people to sponsor you doing something USEFUL in a Stormtrooper costume? Have a bake sale or something. I'd buy cookies from a Stormtrooper.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 8:51 AM on December 16, 2005

Stormtroopers should build Habitat for Humanity housing.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:53 AM on December 16, 2005

...doing something USEFUL in a Stormtrooper costume? Have a bake sale or something. "Useful" would be cleaning up a slum or preparing food and shelter for the homeless. The amount of energy expended in Walkathons and the like always seemed wasted to me. Why not have people sponsor constructive activities?
posted by QuietDesperation at 8:56 AM on December 16, 2005

looks like they are not so hot at fundrasiing, less then $200 and the event is in the 1st week of January.
posted by edgeways at 8:59 AM on December 16, 2005

IMO, if it's done for the childrens sake, I am afraid that I have to put a W in her column.
posted by winks007 at 9:00 AM on December 16, 2005

So I fixed the link to her profile and took a look. I hate to be the voice of reason here (you may know me as Monsieur Negativity) but goddamn, should that woman even be trying to run a marathon in normal clothing?
She does not look, how you say, fit.
posted by nightchrome at 9:00 AM on December 16, 2005

I'd buy cookies from a Stormtrooper.

Stormtroopers should build Habitat for Humanity housing.

It sounds like a new P.R. campaign for the Empire:

Scene opens in Death Star conference room. Grand Moff Tarkin, Darth Vader and Boba Fett in intense discussion.

Grand Moff Tarkin: Polls show we're just not resonating with the moisture farmers, the cargo runners- you know, the common people. Something must be done!

Darth Vader: We want you to get out there, Boba Fett, really mix it up in the neighborhood. Get to know folks, help them out. Fix their fences for them, pick up litter. That sort of thing. Show the kinder, dark
gentler side of the Empire.

Grand Moff Tarkin: And take a company of stormtroopers with you! Oh, and some of those delicious shortbread cookies our Sith Lord friend makes that are so yummy!

Darth Vader (blushing behind mask): Aw, you're too kind! It's an old family recipe, pretty simple...

Either that, or a business plan for what surely would become one of the world's most successful and popular charitable organizations.
posted by darkstar at 9:14 AM on December 16, 2005

I want to see someone in a Stormtrooper costume cure cancer.
posted by iamck at 9:15 AM on December 16, 2005

nightchrome: So I fixed the link to her profile and took a look. I hate to be the voice of reason here (you may know me as Monsieur Negativity) but goddamn, should that woman even be trying to run a marathon in normal clothing?
She does not look, how you say, fit.

Most would expect that a voice of reason would at least have the ability to read the FPP, and be able to distinguish between a half-marathon and a marathon. And I personally would expect a voice of reason on this issue to know that half-marathons and marathons are popular one-year goals for middle-aged people working on getting fit. The Disney marathon and half-marathon in particular are known for being friendly for novice runners and long-distance walkers, with time limits that accommodate a comfortable 15 minute mile.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 9:19 AM on December 16, 2005

"Lord Vader, I know he's not exactly fawning over your cookies, but is that any reason to Choke Grip him?"

...

"Oh wait, he's just allergic to the nuts."
posted by mkultra at 9:20 AM on December 16, 2005

Stormtrooper armor is only funny in bulk. You need at least 6 people to make it work.

One stormtrooper: Nerd.
Six plus troopers: Cool.

Think of the everyday situations that would be brightened by the addition of a half dozen stormtroopers. Walking to work, going to the dentist, even eating dinner in a fancy restaurant would all be made better with the addition of six or more guys in white armor.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:21 AM on December 16, 2005

LOL, mkultra!
posted by darkstar at 9:28 AM on December 16, 2005

Metafilter: funny in bulk.
posted by GuyZero at 9:29 AM on December 16, 2005

Too bad for that kid anyway.
posted by thirteenkiller at 9:31 AM on December 16, 2005

robocop is bleeding: "Think of the everyday situations that would be brightened by the addition of a half dozen stormtroopers. "

Even in this specific absurdist context, that sentence really creeps me out.
posted by illovich at 9:31 AM on December 16, 2005

She should do it in an AT-AT.
posted by bardic at 9:39 AM on December 16, 2005

Suddenly "Springtime for Hitler" comes to mind.

Umm...did I just Godwin a post on charity marathons for cancer patients?
posted by darkstar at 9:43 AM on December 16, 2005

Isn't it only a Godwin if you implicitly compare our opposition to Hitler?
posted by KirkJobSluder at 9:49 AM on December 16, 2005

Hmm...maybe so.

Anyway, because it has to be said:

"Run, TK421, RUN!"
posted by darkstar at 10:01 AM on December 16, 2005

Isn't she a little short for a stormtrooper?
posted by bondcliff at 10:01 AM on December 16, 2005

There was this guy in the Philly Distance Run (half marathon) a few years back. He was pushing his adult child, who had cerebral palsy or something, in an adult sized baby jogger. Apparently the kid's name was John Paul, because he had a sign to that effect. A few people asked 'where's George and Ringo?'
posted by fixedgear at 12:10 PM on December 16, 2005

Apparently the kid's name was John Paul, because he had a sign to that effect. A few people asked 'where's George and Ringo?'

Wouldn't "nice Popemobile" have been a little more to the point?
posted by thecaddy at 2:08 PM on December 16, 2005

nerd 1 : i'm a stormtrooper, over, 'ssshht'- *shhh*

nerd 2 : you don't have to make the 'sssshht' sound it does it for you , over - *shhh*

nerd 1 : ok , roger that , over, 'sssshht' - *shhh*

nerd 2 : (sigh) - *shhh*
posted by nola at 9:18 PM on December 16, 2005

This man 'ran' the London Marathon in a full 'heavy gear' diving suit. It took him 5 days, 8 hours+.
posted by biffa at 3:55 AM on December 19, 2005