FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Geneva Hampton
501-371-4639
501-351-7730 cell
ghampton@littlerock.state.ar.us
or
Lynnette Watts
501-552-3552
lwatts@stvincenthealth.com
More Charities To Benefit
Little Rock Marathon Launching Its Charity Program And Asking Charities
Across Arkansas To Take Part
WHO: Lynnette Watts, Little Rock Marathon, Charity Program Chair
Bryan Day, Director of Little Rock Parks & Recreation
WHAT: Marathon organizers meeting with area charities to introduce the
Little Rock Marathon Charity Program
WHEN: TODAY, July 8, 2005
11:30 AM Meeting & Lunch
WHERE: Adult Leisure Center
6401 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR
BACKGROUND:
With a 52% increase in participation, editorial in national industry
publications, and a mission to keep the Little Rock Marathon on the
national arena, marathon organizers have created a unique program that will
give charities a new way to raise funds.
The Little Rock Marathon is a project of Little Rock Parks & Recreation and
is slated for Sunday, March 6, 2005. The 2004 Little Rock Marathon had an
estimated economic impact of over $2 million, which marathon organizers
believe will double for the 2005 race. Proceeds from the marathon benefit
the programs and facilities of Little Rock Parks & Recreation.
Raising funds for a charity, while participating in a marathon is not new
in the world of fundraising. Marking a trend of continued growth, runners
and walkers nationwide raised more than $560 million for charity in 2003,
according to USA Track & Field (USATF).
Conducted internally by USATF - the national governing body of track and
field, long-distance running and race walking - the study revealed that
approximately $563 million was raised for charitable causes by runners in
2003. USATF gathered data from 20 national charitable race
series/organizations and 45 of the top 100 road running/walking races, as
determined by participation. The study also included a random sample of the
more than 4,000 USATF-sanctioned races of all sizes.
"For years, charity running has been a major economic force in this
country," said USATF CEO Craig A. Masback. "Over the last two years alone,
more than $1 billion has been raised by runners who are training and
competing for a cause. Even more encouraging is charity running continues
to grow, as Americans continue to promote fitness, wellness and giving to
have a positive effect on American society."
The Little Rock Marathon charity program is being launched in 2005 to give
race participants a motivational tool, support and assist charities in
Arkansas, increase participation in smaller communities across Arkansas and
increase race day volunteers.
Only 30 charities across the state will be selected, with the Little Rock
Parks & Recreation's Arkansas River Trail project being one of the official
charities.
For more information about the Little Rock Marathon and the Little Rock
Marathon charity program, please visit www.littlerockmarathon.com or call
Geneva Hampton at 501-351-7730.
Photo Opportunity
###
|
