The Atlanta Track Club (ATC) will award $117,500 to the 18 local nonprofit organizations that participated in the Adopt a Marathon Mile program, which took place during the Atlanta Marathon and Marathon Relay on October 30. Seven of the 18 participating nonprofit organizations were awarded the top donation of $7,500. These organizations include Girls on the Run Atlanta, DetermiNation Atlanta, HomeStretch, Historic Oakland Foundation, Great Pyrenees Rescue Atlanta (GPRA), Kate's Club and Center for Puppetry Arts.
“Our GPRA family had a blast supporting the Atlanta Marathon on Sunday,” said John Heldrich, founder of GPRA. “The runners were both polite and enthusiastic, and most could not help but break into a grin as they approached our Gentle Giants in costume at mile 16.”
“The Center for Puppetry Arts staff and volunteers had a wonderful time participating in the Atlanta Marathon,” said Megan Wall, museum services and volunteer/internship coordinator for the Center for Puppetry Arts. “We were able to give back toAtlanta’s runners by cheering them on in a fun and creative way, while earning funds for a great project here at the Center.”
The ATC planned to give between $63,000 and $135,000 toAtlanta’s nonprofit community, depending on the level of participation from each group. Volunteer requirements for participating organizations included a minimum of 15 volunteers to assist the ATC at the nonprofit’s water stop and a minimum of 15 spectators and cheerleaders in each “cheer zone.” Organizations that met the minimum requirements on race day received a base donation of $3,500. Bonus points, which were redeemed for additional donations up to $7,500 per organization, were awarded to those that offered extra course support in categories including the number of volunteers, costumes and signage, among others.
“We are ecstatic about the level of participation from all of the nonprofits that participated in our first Adopt a Marathon Mile program,” said Tracey Russell, executive director of the ATC. “The infectious spirit of the volunteers brightened the race course for runners and spectators!”
The 2011 Atlanta Marathon prize purse was $10,500. Justin Gillette, of Goshen, Ind., claimed the men’s top prize. His wife, Melissa Gillette, also of Goshen, Ind., was the winner of the women’s division. Visit www.atlantamarathon.org for more information.