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To these changes, the Capitol City Marathon Association has added one more – the creation of the Capital City Marathon Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to help local organizations and schools host running events and programs that encourage running and fitness.
This effort was made possible primarily by the volunteer work force that has put on the race event every year. The concept came about as the group discussed its nearly 15-year commitment to set aside a small surplus of race fees above and beyond the race expenses as a way to ensure the Capitol City Marathon is one of the most affordable marathons in the state, which is particularly important in this economy.
As the surplus grew, we have been able to support high school running teams that participate in volunteer roles, such as supporting the training group by staffing water stops for runners and volunteering on race day.
Over the last year, the Capital City Marathon Association board decided that it should find a way to put the funds to good use right here in our communities. We believe the foundation will provide a legacy for the community that extends beyond the race event.
The foundation was established as part of the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, which is an Olympia-based organization that manages charitable endowment funds for a variety of local organizations and individuals. It was our goal to ensure, as we do with the marathon itself, that we spend our funds locally at every possible opportunity. Our local support is so strong we made sure local community members could participate in funding the foundation, as well as through individual contributions.
As the assets of our foundation grow, its earnings will provide funding for grants requested by local nonprofit organizations and schools to help fund running programs and events. These grants could help running clubs, groups using running events as fundraisers, schools creating programs to promote student running, school athletic-team special events along with many other possibilities as determined by the Capitol City Marathon Association and the Community Foundation.
We could not be more excited about finding new ways to give back through the creation of the foundation. The marathon has become a cornerstone of our community’s heritage, supporting local runners, businesses, and even the national Olympics organization by hosting the first-ever women’s Olympic Marathon Trials. It only seemed appropriate that we find a way to ensure that the marathon provides a lasting legacy through the Capitol City Marathon Foundation.
The association expects to continue its support of high school running teams that help with the event, and is looking for ways to encourage healthy kids running programs in collaboration with schools throughout the county.
Nona Snell is the director of the Capitol City Marathon. Runners can now find race information on Facebook, including updated race registration rates and the training group that starts in January. More information is also available at capitolcitymarathon.org.
