Run the 2014 New York City Marathon while benefiting N.Y. Scouts

Here’s a way to be a winner at the 2014 New York City Marathon no matter what place you finish.

Ten altruistic individuals will get a guaranteed spot in the marathon and benefit New York City Scouting far beyond the 26.2-mile race through the city’s five boroughs.

Forget waiting lists and random drawings. These 10 are assured a slot on Nov. 2, 2014, in the iconic race that takes runners through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx.

This is how it works: Make a commitment to raise a minimum of $3,000 to benefit the Greater New York Councils and its 45,000 youth. You’ll pay a $50 hold fee and then be contacted by Cedric Bodley, a council staffer, with more information on how to begin fundraising. Most runners won’t pay the full $3,000 themselves but will instead connect with friends and family to support their cause.

Like the marathon itself, this opportunity is open to anyone, not just those from New York. So whether you’re a runner in California, Connecticut or the Carolinas, this opportunity is for you.

“Anybody in the Boy Scouts of America will be warmly, warmly welcomed,” says Ethan Draddy, Scout Executive and CEO of the Greater New York Councils.

Visit this Crowdrise page to sign up or learn more.

Draddy tells me his council, now a charity partner with the NYC marathon, wants to make a statement that will hopefully result in even more guaranteed slots next year.

“We want to show the New York City Marathon people that the Boy Scouts of America is a good partner for you,” he says.

There’s already one registrant: Mike Schulte, a Scoutmaster from Queens who has never before raced in a marathon. He has about 25 weeks to prepare himself for the race of a lifetime.

And that’s no understatement. The New York City Marathon is one of just six races in the World Marathon Majors. The others are Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin and Chicago.

What’s in it for the runners?

In addition to the satisfaction that you supported a great cause, the 10 who will run for Team Greater New York Councils get the following:

  • Paid marathon registration fees (worth approximately $300)
  • Boy Scouts of America logo team T-shirt
  • Bus transportation to the starting line on race day
  • Pre-race team breakfast on the morning of Nov. 1 for family, friends and your supporters
  • Gift bag

Questions?

Contact Cedric Bodley at cedric.bodley@scouting.org


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.