Profiles - Mark Haverland

With determination and grit, Mark Haverland crawls through s Spartan course, embodying the spirit of becoming the change one wishes to see in the world.

Endurance sports are filled with inspirational individuals who have faced and overcome physical and mental challenges, emerging stronger than ever. These personal transformations are truly remarkable, showcasing an indomitable spirit and character. However, when someone channels their personal growth into helping others, extending their transformation to benefit a broader community, that is truly heroic to me. In 2022, after leaving the Navy and becoming inactive, Mark Haverland decided to get fit for his son and young family. He quit smoking and embraced a healthy lifestyle by following the Chris Hemsworth Centre and becoming a certified trainer. To push himself further, Mark aimed to complete his first two Spartan races in 2023, a Sprint and Super, in a unique way—by bear crawling the entire race. With this idea, he collaborated with Dan McDonald, Bryan Gray, and Steve Martin to establish an organization benefiting Children's Hospitals. This concept has evolved into a unique charity that operates like this ...

Visit the Teddy Bear Crawl Foundation website for donations and updates.

On a Sunday at 7:00 am, during Trifecta Weekends, participants gather at the Spartan Kids Course. Before meeting, they pledge on Mark's website, committing to complete the event and make a monetary donation. Participants then Bear Crawl the 1/2 mile kids course, earning a Spartan Kids medal upon completion. This enjoyable, lighthearted event draws racers from the open and age group divisions, all aiming to support the group and assist others. I've participated several times, and it is an enjoyable (yet deceptively challenging) event. All proceeds go towards buying Teddy Bears, which Mark and his team donate to a Children's Hospital. Mark and his organization have a Board of Directors and now have an official website. The teddybearcrawl.org has donated 3,892 teddy bears to various children’s hospitals. What began as a modest event is now expanding to 27 events in 2025.

Shank Gym is a dedicated supporter of the Teddy Bear Crawl. We strive to take part in numerous events, and at the Unbreakable meeting in Orlando, we had the chance to perform the bear crawl to the children's hospital and joined the team that donated teddy bears to the hospital.Mark has a saying, "be the change you want to see in this world," and I completely agree with him. Ultimately, we are privileged to compete in Spartan Races, while others cannot. By acknowledging this humbling truth, we gain perspective on our own struggles. If you can contribute and want to join in the fun, see you at the next Teddy Bear Crawl. Here is a link to their 2025 schedule.

Participants gather at the final event in Florida, celebrating the success of teddy bear donations to the local children's hospital.