Running for a Reason: How Paul Poblete Turned Every Mile Into Hope
August 5, 2026
When Paul Poblete signed up to run the New York City half marathon, he wasn't just chasing a personal goal. Every training run, every early morning, and every mile had a deeper purpose.
Paul joined the GO2 for Lung Cancer Endurance Team to honor his father, who was diagnosed with combined small cell lung cancer (CSCLC) in 2021, and to help make a difference for other families facing the disease.
What started as marathon training became an opportunity to raise awareness, inspire others, and support the lung cancer community in a meaningful way.
We recently caught up with Paul to learn more about what motivated him to join the GO2 Endurance Team, what he learned along the way, and what advice he has for others considering taking on a race for a cause.
Running for something bigger than yourself
For Paul, choosing GO2 as his charity partner was deeply personal.
"My family was directly impacted when my father was diagnosed with CSCLC in 2021," he shared. "I understand the grief and uncertainty that families experience. I wanted to do something that could help make an impact, not only by raising money but also by raising awareness."
Like so many families, Paul's life changed after his father's diagnosis. Training for a marathon became more than a fitness challenge. It became a way to channel his energy into something positive while honoring his father's experience and supporting others navigating lung cancer.
"I wanted to run for a cause that had impacted not just my family, but so many others around the world."
Finding purpose through the GO2 Endurance Team
Training for a marathon requires commitment, discipline, and countless hours on the road. Paul says knowing that every mile represented something bigger than himself helped keep him motivated.
"Having the ability to raise awareness while raising funds for a personal cause was such a fulfilling feeling," he said.
He also appreciated the support provided through the GO2 Endurance Team.
"The organization provided all the resources I needed to have a successful campaign. From fundraising tips and tricks to a dedicated running coach, everything was there. The entire process was a lot of fun."
For Paul, the combination of training, fundraising, and connecting with a community united by a common purpose made the experience especially meaningful.
"Training and contributing to something bigger than myself really kept me grounded and grateful."
Every donation came with a mile
One of the most creative parts of Paul's fundraising campaign was finding a way to personally thank every donor.
He promised to dedicate one mile of training for every $10 donated. During those runs, he would give donors a shoutout on social media. For supporters who weren't on social media, he recorded personalized videos during his training runs and sent them directly.
The idea not only encouraged donations but also kept people engaged throughout his marathon journey.
"I was telling everyone that I would dedicate a mile during training for every $10 they donated," Paul explained. "I'd post a story during that run with their shoutout."
The approach quickly gained momentum.
"I even had friends donate just so they could make me run," he laughed.
By consistently sharing updates, celebrating donors, and inviting others into his journey, Paul kept his campaign visible while making every supporter feel like they were part of the experience.
The power of community
While fundraising was an important goal, Paul says one of the biggest surprises was the overwhelming support he received.
"I was surprised by how many people in my network wanted to support the cause, regardless of how close we were."
Many donations also came with something even more meaningful: personal stories.
"A lot of people shared how cancer had impacted their own lives. The support from everyone was inspiring."
Those conversations reminded Paul that lung cancer affects far more people than many realize. His campaign became an opportunity not only to raise funds, but also to create space for people to share their own experiences and honor loved ones.
Advice for future marathon runners
For anyone thinking about tackling a marathon, Paul's advice is to stay patient and enjoy the process.
"Stay consistent, but remember that progress isn't linear," he said. "There will be times when it gets hard, and you'll want to give up, but in the end it will all be worth it."
He also recommends finding others to train alongside.
"Find friends who want to train with you or join a run club. Running with a group makes it much more enjoyable."
Above all, he encourages runners not to lose sight of the experience itself.
"Have fun and enjoy it. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life."
Advice for future fundraisers
Paul's fundraising success also came from being willing to share his story often and in different ways.
His advice?
"Utilize all your resources to spread awareness, from word of mouth to social media, even LinkedIn. Cast a wide net and repost often."
“People want opportunities to support causes that they care about,” he says. “Sometimes they simply need to be asked.”
Creating a fun, interactive campaign helped people feel personally connected to his fundraising goals and kept the momentum going from start to finish.
Ready to run for hope?
Whether you're an experienced runner chasing your next marathon or someone looking for a new challenge with purpose, the GO2 Endurance Team offers an opportunity to turn every mile into hope for people affected by lung cancer.
As Paul's story shows, fundraising is about much more than reaching a finish line. It's about honoring loved ones, building community, raising awareness, and helping create a future with better outcomes for everyone affected by lung cancer.
Join the GO2 Endurance Team and help us confront lung cancer one mile at a time