RUN WITH A PURPOSE

The Philadelphia Marathon is pleased to partner with several wonderful and worthwhile programs that support local initiatives and benefit people from right here in the Philadelphia region and around the world.

Charity Partner – Students Run Philly Style

Students Run Philly Style is a unique program that offers marathon training to help young people succeed in life.  The only one of its kind in Philadelphia, the program connects students with adult mentors who help them imagine and accomplish goals beyond their dreams, including the completion of a marathon.

2009 – 2010 Official Charities

The Hearts and Smiles Foundation provides assistance to low-income families with a special-needs child, with particular focus on the needs of siblings in those families.  The all volunteer organization has served more than 1,000 children in the Greater Philadelphia region.  Based on individual family needs, the organization provides a variety of items to include clothing and grocery store gift cards to recreational items for the siblings of special needs children. 

Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation uses a bottom-up approach to eradicating poverty by collecting used athletic shoes on a large scale.  A donation of 600 pairs of sneakers helps lift a family from poverty through the M.O.R.E. (Modular Organic Regenerative Empowerment) program, a microenterprise model designed to increase small-farm productivity in the poorest rural farm areas in Africa.  Last year, the Philadelphia Marathon was able to adopt three families in Ghana, Africa through PPPF by collecting 1,800 pairs of gently used sneakers at the 2008 Health & Fitness Expo.  We look forward to helping even more families this year. 

Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Back on My Feet promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging people in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training is the world's largest endurance sports training program, with over 360,000 volunteer participants.  Visit the Team In Training website to find out how you can get involved and receive personalized fitness training by a certified coach, access to training clinics, your own personal website for online fundraising, and a supportive group of teammates.  

Running with Warriors Tour is the first ever world class event for our soldiers featuring running industry leaders who will be traveling to bases throughout the Middle East. The Philadelphia Marathon has already shipped 326 runner shirts to support the event.