FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B.A.A. Announces Fundraising Team For 2019 Boston Marathon
Fifteen runners will be part of the B.A.A.'s inaugural charity team
BOSTON - Today, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced the
formation of a team of fundraising athletes who will run on behalf of the
organization's community engagement efforts at the 123rd Boston Marathon on
April 15, 2019. The B.A.A.'s team will consist of 15 participants raising
funds to support the B.A.A.'s mission of bringing the benefits of running
and healthy lifestyles to the greater community. The newly formed team will
also be one of 36 organizations that are part of the B.A.A.'s Official
Charity Program for the 2019 Boston Marathon. Information regarding
submitting applications to be part of the B.A.A.'s team can be found below.
"Having a team of dedicated B.A.A. fundraisers will help us extend our
impact throughout the community, and provide us the chance to directly
impact youths within the Greater Boston area," said B.A.A. Chief Executive
Officer Tom Grilk. "While we already have organized and supported many
events that foster accessibility to running, the efforts of the B.A.A. team
will help us expand the impact of our work and create new opportunities for
programming and events."
The Boston Athletic Association has long been a leader in community
engagement initiatives in the Greater Boston community. Starting in 1997,
the B.A.A. has annually held a youth Relay Challenge on Boston Marathon
weekend that provides local schools and programs the opportunity to race
down Boylston Street. Over the past 21 years, more than 17,200 children
have participated in the Relay Challenge, with some going on to run at the
high school, college, and elite level.
Each fall, the B.A.A. hosts the Boston Middle School Cross Country
Championships at Franklin Park, allowing inner-city youths the chance to
compete at Franklin Park. In addition, the B.A.A. is in year three of
presenting the Boston Marathon Youth Jamboree, a fun-filled day of races
and activities for children in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. At the
Jamboree, youngsters get to meet and learn from Olympians, Paralympians,
elite athletes, top coaches, and local mascots.
Other community initiatives the B.A.A. supports include the Road to
Wellness 5K in Roxbury; the Mayor's Cup Cross Country Meet in October; and
the Pursuit Program each April. The Pursuit Program - in partnership with
Wings of America and Harvard University - commemorates the legacy of Native
distance runners by inviting American Indian youth to Boston to explore
local universities and experience the excitement of Boston Marathon
weekend.
As part of the 2019 Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, the B.A.A.'s
fundraising team will feature 15 participants. Anyone interested in
submitting an application to run for the team is encouraged to apply via
the B.A.A. website, www.baa.org. As part of the B.A.A. fundraising team,
participants will receive coaching and training assistance; race day perks
including private bussing and access to a special pre-start area in
Hopkinton; a team uniform; and other additional benefits. The fundraising
minimum is $5,000.
All funds raised will help expand the aforementioned youth and community
activities, while also providing additional opportunities for enhancement
and the potential introduction of new events. The goal of the B.A.A.'s team
is to foster an even greater platform to spread the benefits of health and
fitness through the community.
"The B.A.A. fundraising team will be a great addition to the 2019 Boston
Marathon Official Charity Program," said Nicole Juri, Charity Partnerships
Manager at the B.A.A. "We are excited to welcome 15 runners onto the team,
and look forward to the team's impact both near and far."
In 2018, Boston Marathon participants who ran on behalf of more than 260
non-profit organizations raised $36.6 million for charity. Total funds
included $19.2 million raised through the B.A.A.'s Official Charity
Program, $13.1 million raised through John Hancock's Non-Profit Program,
and $4.3 million from other qualified and invitational runners.
To learn more about the B.A.A.'s fundraising team and the application
process, please visit www.baa.org, or contact Elizabeth Giroux at
.
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit
organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through
sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's
oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and
supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs,
including high performance athletes and running club. Since 1986, the
principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock. The Boston
Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with
international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York
City. More than 60,000 runners participate in B.A.A. events annually. The
123rd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019. For more
information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.
###
|
