Bethany Peters is lacing up her running shoes once again — not just to cross a finish line, but to change lives. Her story is one of grit, heart, and hope — and this year, she’s inviting Duke fans to join her mission in a legendary way. After five knee surgeries, including a total knee replacement just two years ago, Bethany is returning to the Chicago Marathon with a deeply personal goal and a cause that touches lives around the globe. Even more exciting? Duke’s own Coach K has stepped in with an incredible gesture that could land one lucky fan an exclusive, signed piece of Duke basketball history.
This isn’t just a race — it’s a movement.
From Pain to Purpose: Bethany’s Journey
Bethany’s running journey has been anything but smooth. In 2019, she ran the Chicago Marathon with four knee surgeries already behind her. Since then, she’s endured a fifth surgery — a full knee replacement — and has continued running against all odds. She’s finished marathons in places like Berlin and came heartbreakingly close in Tokyo, missing the finish line by just three miles.
But now, with a brand-new goal in her heart and fire in her stride, she’s heading back to Chicago — and this time, she’s determined to beat her best marathon time by over 30 minutes. It’s not about medals anymore. It’s about proving to herself — and to the world — that obstacles can be turned into opportunities for impact.
💧 Why She Runs: Clean Water for All
Bethany isn’t just running for herself. She’s running for something much bigger — to end the global water crisis. Over 700 million people around the world still live without access to clean water. For many, this means walking miles every day, just to fetch water that’s often unsafe to drink. It affects education, health, and survival — especially for children.
To Bethany, that’s not just a crisis. It’s a justice issue.
She’s running as part of World Vision’s Clean Water Team, an initiative dedicated to bringing safe, lasting water solutions to communities in need. Through her years of running, Bethany has already raised an incredible $183,000. Now, she’s just $17,000 away from a huge milestone: $200,000 raised in her lifetime to bring clean water to those who need it most.
Coach K Steps In: The Duke Nation Raffle
And this is where it gets even more exciting for Blue Devils everywhere.
To help her hit that final fundraising goal, Bethany is hosting a special raffle — and none other than Coach Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary former Duke basketball head coach, has donated a signed Duke sweatshirt to support the cause.
This isn’t just any hoodie. It’s a black unisex Duke sweatshirt (size M), hand-signed by Coach K — the winningest coach in men’s Division I college basketball history. For die-hard Duke fans, this is more than apparel. It’s a piece of history.
🎟️ How to Enter the Raffle:
Entering is simple, and every dollar goes directly to clean water projects.
💵 $10 = 1 entry
✅ Click the “Support Me” button on Bethany’s fundraising page
✍️ IMPORTANT: Write “DUKE” in the comments of your donation so your entry counts
🔁 You can donate as many times as you like — there’s no limit on entries
Deadline: Thursday, July 11 at 11:59 PM ET
Whether you give once or give big, you’re part of something life-changing — and you just might walk away with a legendary piece of Duke memorabilia.
This Isn’t Just About Running
Bethany’s story reminds us all that strength comes in many forms. Through surgeries, setbacks, and near misses, she’s kept moving forward — not just with her feet, but with her heart. And now she’s inviting Duke fans and supporters everywhere to run with her, in spirit, by helping her cross both the finish line and her $200,000 goal.
This is your chance to be part of something that’s bigger than basketball, bigger than a race — something that truly matters. A signed sweatshirt may hang in one home, but clean water will change thousands of lives. That’s what this is really about.
Let’s Do This, Duke Fans
Coach K has passed the torch to you — now it’s your turn to carry it forward. Join Bethany Peters on her journey, support a mission that saves lives, and maybe win something unforgettable along the way.
Because sometimes, the most powerful victories don’t happen on the court — they happen when we give.
[Support Bethany’s Fundraiser and Enter the Raffle Now]
