Two hours after Dan Smith went to his first group meeting at the Adoption Network Cleveland, he found himself weeping in his car.

A staff member had handed him her card at the end of the meeting, offering to help find his birth parents. It was his first time seriously considering it.

From that moment on, he began a journey reconnecting with a part of himself he never knew was missing.

After the network helped him find and meet his birth family, he realized just how important the organization is. It has reunited countless families and helped adoptees and birth parents through the emotional adoption journey.

Today, he feels he has a debt to the network he can never repay. So, he’s taking it to the extreme.

On May 2, Dan is running an ultramarathon to raise money for the network so the organization can continue to help others the same way they helped him.

The 24-hour race will take place at Lake Metroparks Chapin Forest Reservation, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Dan hopes to raise $24,000 through your support. That's $1,000 for every hour he races to support Adoption Network Cleveland.

All money raised will go directly to Adoption Network Cleveland and be used to help make a difference in countless lives.

Please donate today to support Dan and Adoption Network Cleveland.

After 4pm on May 2, you can join Dan to walk a lap or more with him. A lap is a one mile loop through the woods. The start/finish line is at an open field. A portion of the trail goes right past the parking lot so it will be easy to find Dan.

There will also be a 10x10 tent set up with the Adoption Network banner on it where you can ask others to assist finding Dan so you can join him on a loop around the trail.

Event Location: Chapin Forest Reservation 10381 Hobart Road, Kirtland, OH

Run, Dan, Run! Support Dan Smith's 24-Hour Ultramarathon

He’s running for 24 hours — please support him with a donation today!