Opportunity Enterprises is extremely excited to announce that its OE Runners Team will be traveling south in 2015 to participate in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. After 16 years of partner charity status with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the agency has decided to take their team in a different direction in order to create a new sense of excitement around this long-standing fundraiser, which typically raises over $100,000 each year for the clients of OE.
The Indy Monumental Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2015 and offers not only the Boston-qualifying marathon race, but also a half marathon, a 5k and a Kids Fun Run. The race itself will be entering its 8th year in 2015 and has grown from a mere 3,000 runners to having over 15,000 total runners participate in 2014. Registration for the 2015 Indy Monumental Marathon will open January 1st, 2015.
“We hope to recruit about 300 runners by partnering with this in-state race that offers more than just the marathon. Our fundraising minimum for runners will be lowered from the 2014 season, we’ll be able to create new traditions, and this will draw a bigger group of community members out to get involved in Opportunity Enterprises and what we do,” said Lindsay Ellis, OE’s Development Associate and the OE Runners Team Coordinator. “We’re extremely excited, and the buzz coming from our former and current runners only supports the fact that this is the right decision for OE.”
The agency will continue to offer training benefits in Lake and Porter counties as well as fundraising incentive prizes for those who achieve certain fundraising levels. The team will be granted use of an exclusive race day warm-up and reunite area, a team shirt, a weekly e-newsletter containing training tips and team updates throughout the training season, and a catered pasta dinner and post-race party during race weekend.
Interested members are encouraged to attend one of the call out meetings which will be offered on Wednesday, December 10th at Omni Fitness in Lake County at 7PM and Thursday, December 11th at OE’s main building in Porter County at 6PM. To sign up now or to ask questions regarding the 2015 team, contact Lindsay Ellis at 219-464-9621 ext. 239 or via email at lindsay.ellis@oppent.org.