Marathon News - Chicago Marathon Generated $6.3 Million for Charities

Jun-20-2006

Chicago Marathon Generated $6.3 Million for Charities
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

Organizers of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon announced yesterday that the
2005 edition of their event generated $6.3 million for charity.

Some 3000 charity runners, who solicit pledges of cash against their efforts to complete the marathon, increased the amount of money they raised from
2004 by 34%, recruiting 20% more runners for their causes.

"Each year I am amazed to see the steady increase in the money raised for charities and the overall number of participating charities," commented Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski in a prepared statement. "The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon event has proven to be a perfect match for individuals, communities and charities to raise money and build hope for the causes they support."

There were three official charities for last year's race, which included:
American Cancer Society ($650,000), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's TEAM in Training ($2.3 million) and National AIDS Marathon Training Program ($1.1 million). In addition to the three official charities, there were four charity partners, 14 participating charities and 19 associated charities, all of whom contributed to the $6.3 million total.

Road running has become a major force in charity fund raising. In a survey conducted by USA Track & Field last year, researchers found that road runners and walkers had raised a staggering $575 million for charity in 2004.

"Charity running continues to grow, even as competitive marathoners continue to raise the bar of elite performance," said USATF CEO Craig Masback in a news release last April. "The marathon phenomenon has had a positive effect on American society, from promoting fitness to pursuing altruistic goals such as charity fund-raising."

The 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 22.