FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Honors Iain Jones With the
2015 Top Individual Fundraiser Award
Charity Program Raised an Event Record $18.7 Million in 2015
CHICAGO - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon today announced Iain Jones
as the sixth annual recipient of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Top
Individual Fundraiser Award.
The award was established in 2010 to honor the Bank of America Chicago
Marathon participant who raised the most funds for charity through the
annual world-class event. As a member of Team World Vision, Jones raised
more than $65,000 during the 2015 event.
The fundraising efforts of more than 10,000 marathon runners contributed to
an event record $18.7 million raised during the 2015 Bank of America
Chicago Marathon. Since the charity program was officially established in
2002, participants have raised more than $150 million for local, national
and global causes.
"We are honored to recognize Iain as our top individual fundraiser for his
dedication to Team World Vision, a charity devoted to bringing clean water
to people around the world," said Paul Lambert, Chicago Market president,
Bank of America. "Iain's commitment to Team World Vision's mission is
commendable, raising more than $100,000 over the last decade. Iain truly
embodies the team's motto, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want
to go far, go together!'"
Lambert will join Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski today at a
charity reception hosted by the Bank of America Chicago Marathon at the
Park Grill in presenting the award to Jones.
"Iain's prolific fundraising efforts are extraordinary and exemplify the
impact of our charity runners," said Carey Pinkowski, executive race
director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. "His passion and
commitment can inspire others to follow in his footsteps and join a charity
team for the 2016 Chicago Marathon as there are still spots available on
many teams."
The Team World Vision charity team began participating in the Bank of
America Chicago Marathon in 2005. Since then, the team has raised more than
$18 million through marathon fundraising efforts. In 2015, Team World
Vision had the largest charity team with more than 1,300 runners.
"Fundraising mirrors the marathon journey," said Jones. "It seems daunting
and impossible. However, with the right approach, patience, persistence and
the grace of God, anything is possible. Don't be shy to commit and take
your first steps; you won't regret it!"
Jones joins Hillary Gelfman (2014, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), Jim
Jenness (2013, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls), John Nichols (2012, Spinal
Cord Injury Association of Illinois), Dr. José Oberholzer (2011, The
Chicago Diabetes Project), and Carl Allegretti (2010, Children's Memorial
Hospital) as a recipient of this prestigious award. These award-winning
fundraisers, along with the combined efforts of the thousands who commit to
running for charity each year, have made the Bank of America Chicago
Marathon a critical annual fundraiser for hundreds of nonprofit
organizations and one of the largest fundraising events in Illinois.
Although the entry period for the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon has
closed, registered runners can still opt to join a charity team at this
time by contacting one of the event’s affiliated nonprofits by going to
www.chicagomarathon.com/charity.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 39th year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands
of runners from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a
world-class elite field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans,
debut marathoners and charity runners. The race’s iconic course takes
runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural
tour of Chicago. In 2015, an estimated 1.7 million spectators lined the
streets, cheering on 37,459 runners from the start line to the final
stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and
international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of
dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $254 million in
annual economic impact to its host city. The 2016 Bank of America Chicago
Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and
finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 9. In
advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at
McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 7, and Saturday,
October 8. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go
to chicagomarathon.com.
Visit the Bank of America newsroom for more Bank of America news, and click
here to register for news email alerts.
chicagomarathon.com
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