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Lead Stories: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

USATF study reveals
charity fundraising by runners, walkers surges
to over $714 million

Posted October 29th, 2007 at 2:45 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

Marking a trend of continued growth, road runners and walkers raised $714 million for charity in 2006, USA Track & Field (USATF) announced Monday. The figure marks a nearly 9 percent increase over 2005 and shows continued, steady increases since USATF began its annual charity survey in 2002.

The Nike Women’s Marathon and Half-Marathon was named the 2006 USATF Charitable Race of the Year, while the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its GREAT STRIDES program was honored as 2006 Charitable Organization of the Year.

Conducted internally by USATF, the national governing body of track and field, long-distance running and race walking, the study revealed that more than $714 million was raised for charitable causes by runners in 2006.

USATF gathered data from national charitable race series/organizations and a sample of nearly 200 running/walking races, including many of the country’s largest races.

“The continued growth of charity fundraising in the current economic climate shows the dedication of charity runners and walkers to their cause, as well as the strength of road running in this country,” said USATF CEO Craig A. Masback.
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Boston Marathon charity fundraising nets $3 million

Posted August 9th, 2007 at 8:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

John Hancock’s Boston Marathon Fundraising Program raised $3.3 million for charitable and community service organizations, during the 111th running of the historic race. The program, in its 22nd year, set a fundraising record, eclipsing the amount previously raised by more than $400,000.

As the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock provides select non-profit organizations with invitational marathon entries that enable funds to be raised for their organizations. The entries are distributed to runners who wish to raise money but who would not necessarily qualify for race entry based on their personal running times.

Non-profit groups, hospitals and community agencies receiving entries asked runners to raise at least $3,000 for their organization. This year the runners raised an average of more than $3,700. In addition, John Hancock asked its employees to run and raise funds on behalf of non-profits, enabling employees to strengthen their ties to the community.
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