Runners Will Begin 10.15 Project Relay on October 15

The relay run across North Dakota supports families navigating infant loss.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Running

Twelve runners begin the inaugural 10.15 Project relay across North Dakota on October 15, aiming to raise awareness for families navigating infant loss. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Beginning October 15, 2026, twelve runners will embark on a multi-day relay across North Dakota for the inaugural 10.15 Project. The event coincides with National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day to provide support for families.

Why it matters

The 10.15 Project aims to create space for remembrance and provide tangible support for families affected by infant loss. Inspired by the 437 Project, it seeks to raise awareness through physical endurance.

Terry Vandrovec, a 47-year-old participant, has raised $8,000 from 100 donors to support the mission. Each of the 12 runners participating in the relay is tasked with a $10,000 fundraising goal.

The players

Terry Vandrovec

He is a 47-year-old runner participating as the sole representative from South Dakota in the relay.

Jessica Vandrovec

She is an author who published the memoir Held to share her experiences with infant loss.

The details

Inspired by the 437 Project, this relay run serves as a platform for families to navigate infant loss and share their stories. Terry Vandrovec, who trains by running 15 miles daily, is the only participant representing South Dakota in the event.

October 15, 2025: Jessica Vandrovec published the memoir Held.
October 2, 2026: A sendoff soiree is scheduled to take place at Phil's Pub.
October 15, 2026: The inaugural 10.15 Project relay begins.

Season Trajectory

The 10.15 Project follows a model established by the 437 Project by utilizing a long-distance relay to facilitate community support and fundraising. This event reflects a growing trend of using organized endurance athletics to provide a platform for personal and public remembrance.

Participants must secure $10,000 in donations to meet the project's funding benchmarks. The relay serves as a major logistical operation across North Dakota, drawing on months of training, including the 15-mile daily runs performed by individual participants like Vandrovec.

The takeaway

The event highlights how individual endurance goals can be channeled into collective support systems for those grieving. Families participating in or following the relay can use the project as a touchstone for community and personal reflection.