RACE FOR A CAUSE

ATHLETES RACING TO RAISE MONEY FOR A PHILANTHROPY

Interested in racing for a cause in the 2025 Half Everest? Reach out to us at contact@elevationeverest.com. We’d love to hear why you’re racing and promote you on our website!

Project Limitless

Project Limitless is a nonprofit that aims to provide adults with special needs/different abilities the experiences, funding and medical resources they need to thrive as a member of our community. The foundation was formed as the result of frustration with the barriers and expenses those with physical impairments and special needs encounter just in the pursuit of living life. We believe that everyone should be able to afford the tools they need to thrive, and strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone has a place to go to flourish, as well as the financial support to obtain the therapies, care and tools they need.

Founders Kelsey Bellanca and Jenny LeChevallier competed in The Half Everest 2024 and now in 2025, founder Kaitlyn Yonke plans to join them with a go at The Full Everest. They will be competing to fundraise for Project Limitless and their newly formed guide program, which pairs Title III athletes with the guides they need to compete in athletic events.

  • Kelsey Bellanca is a physical therapist who works with endurance athletes, active adults and people with neurological diagnoses to help them achieve their movement goals and to live fulfilling lives. When she is not at work, Kelsey is most likely somewhere outdoors. She’s an avid skier, biker and hiker, and is often out on long walks with her pup, Buttons. 

    Jenny LeChevallier is an avid endurance athlete, Ironman, ultra runner and mom of three. She has a passion for pushing her limits and inspiring others to push their own. Two of her amazing little girls are neurodivergent and she understands how beneficial going the extra mile to accommodate them can be. She has a goal for her girls to not just find their place in the world, but for them to thrive as the unique person that they were created to be. 

    Kaitlyn Yonke is a music therapist who helps enrich the lives of her clients daily. Outside of work, you can most likely find her on a mountain trail somewhere or hanging on for deal life behind the push bar of her dad/s adaptive trike. She is a fierce advocate for inclusion and adaptive accessibility in the community and with her music therapy clients. 

Miles for Smiles

Team Miles for Smiles was created in 2010 after founders, Deanna and David McCurdy’s daughter, Hayden Grace, was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 15,000 live births. Individuals with Angelman Syndrome (AS) can not speak, suffer from seizure disorders, balance and coordination challenges and cognitive and developmental delays. Despite these challenges, individuals with AS have an overly happy demeanor and are known for their larger than life smiles. Team Miles for Smiles helps raise awareness and money for Angelman Syndrome research through participating in athletic endeavors around the US and world. Miles for Smiles teammates fundraising efforts provide support to organizations like the Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF). ASF's mission is to help those affected with Angelman Syndrome live better lives through research, clinical care, family support and educational services.

This October, the ASF has a team over over 40 parents and caregivers running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Deanna is serving as volunteer coach for the team and David is running Chicago as his first marathon. A mountain lover at heart, Deanna is tackling Elevation Everest’s Half Everest Challenge with the hopes of inspiring others to climb whatever mountains stand before them both physically and metaphorically. While the summit may seem daunting and unreachable at times, through passion and perseverance, all things- even curing a rare genetic disorder- are possible.

  • Deanna has raced professionally as an off-road triathlete and mountain biker. She is a 4-time USA Triathlon Off-Road Triathlete of the Year and a 2-time XTERRA age group World Champion, finishing as the Top American the the XTERRA World Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2022. She has also competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, Ironman Boulder, placed 1st Overall Female Duo Team at Breck Epic 6-Day Mountain Bike Stage Race and 2nd Overall Female at the Snickers Marathon.