Inaugural 10.15 Project Will Launch Relay Run Oct 15
The relay race across North Dakota seeks to support families navigating infant loss through a multi-day event.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Running
Beginning October 15, 2026, twelve runners will participate in the inaugural 10.15 Project, a relay run across North Dakota designed to provide support and space for remembrance for families affected by infant loss. The event coincides with National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
Why it matters
The project creates a communal space for families to process grief while raising funds to ensure ongoing support for those navigating infant loss. Inspired by the 437 Project, the initiative fosters both physical movement and emotional solidarity for participants and donors.
Terry Vandrovec has secured contributions from 100 donors to reach $8,000, nearing the participant goal of $10,000. It remains unclear how the collective funds will be allocated across specific support programs.
The players
Terry Vandrovec
A 47-year-old runner participating in the relay to honor the 16 years since the death of Breley Vandrovec.
Jessica Vandrovec
The author of the memoir Held, which explores the experience of infant loss.
The details
Participants engage in a multi-day relay run to bridge the geographic distance across the state while honoring the memory of lost infants. Training for the event involves significant daily exertion, with Vandrovec logging 15 miles as part of their regimen. The project aims to convert this endurance effort into both public awareness and tangible financial support for grieving families.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: A sendoff soiree occurs at Phil's Pub.
October 15, 2026: The inaugural 10.15 Project begins.
Health Landscape
The 10.15 Project adapts the multi-day relay format popularized by the 437 Project to focus on community-based support for infant loss. This event highlights the growing trend of using organized endurance athletics to build advocacy for specific mental health and grief-support initiatives.
If you or a loved one are navigating the grief associated with infant loss, connecting with support networks and commemorative projects can provide meaningful avenues for processing complex emotions. Discuss the benefits of structured peer-support activities with your primary care provider or a mental health professional.
The takeaway
The 10.15 Project demonstrates how physical endurance can serve as a conduit for raising awareness and funds for infant loss support. Engaging in community-based remembrance events is a powerful way to foster healing; check for local support groups or commemorative walks in your area.
What happens next
A sendoff soiree is scheduled for October 2, 2026, at Phil's Pub, followed by the start of the relay on October 15, 2026.
Further reading
For more on how community events are changing the wellness landscape, explore Running.
