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Our Work

runner at Long Beach Half MarathonHow we got started

Up and Running Again was started in November of 2009, when 4 accountants decided that they could make a difference in the lives of the homeless in Orange County by training rescue mission residents to run a half marathon. In February of 2010, thirteen residents successfully completed the Surf City Half Marathon and changed their lives forever.

As a part of this training the residents consistently claimed that if they could run a half marathon there should be nothing to stop them from getting a job or reconciling with their family.

In March of 2011, Up and Running Again was granted their 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Since its inception, Up and Running Again has had over 900 runners complete a half marathon. Many of our racers have gone on to get jobs and move out of the shelter. Several past participants have gone on to college. Many continue on to run full marathons and become lifelong runners.

Continuing to grow, Up and Running Again has groups in Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, San Diego, Orange County, Long Beach, Brea, Raleigh, Sioux Falls, Santa Rosa and Las Vegas. We are continuing to want to spread our impact to new areas.

What we do

Fernando Escobar is overcome with emotion after finishing his first half marathon in Tustin on Sunday, March 3, 2019. Nine months ago Escobar was living under a bridge in Redlands, addicted to methamphetamine and alcohol. "I feel like I defeated a monster," he said of finishing the race. He hugs Angelina Cabrera. Both are living at the OC Rescue Mission's Village of Hope. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Site Locations

Orange County Rescue Mission

1 Hope Dr.
Tustin, CA
6:00am – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 6:30 am

Las Vegas Rescue Mission

480 W Bonanza Rd,
Las Vegas, NV 89106


San Diego Rescue Mission

120 Elm Street
San Diego, CA
5:30 am – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 7:30 am

Union Gospel Mission

1224 E. Trent Ave.
Spokane, WA
6:00 am – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 6:30 am

Coeur D’Alene Mission

196 W. Haycraft Ave,
Coeur D’Alene, ID 83815

Union Gospel Mission

3211 Irving Blvd.,
Dallas, TX 75247

Long Beach Rescue Mission

1335 Pacific Ave,
Long Beach, CA 90813

Wayside Cross Ministries

215 E New York St.,
Aurora, IL 60505

Sioux Falls Rescue Mission

701 E. 8th St,
Sioux Falls, SD, 57103

Redwood Rescue Mission

101 6th Street,
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Raleigh Rescue Mission

4700 Capital Blvd
Raleigh, NC 27604