Tag Archive for: Central Texas

2018 Austin Marathon Names Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser

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High Five Events announces Ricky Doyle, Spectrum News Sports Director, as the official Austin Gives Miles Charity Chaser for the 2018 Austin Marathon®. Doyle will make his marathon debut, begin as the final runner, and earn $1.00 for a chosen Austin Gives Miles Charity for every marathoner he passes.

“One of my favorite things about Austin is how active the city and our local running scene is,” said Doyle. “To team up with the Austin Marathon, run our city’s iconic race, and raise a lot of money for local charities is an honor and I can’t wait for race day. Watch out runners, I’m coming for you!”

Charity Chaser

Ricky Doyle – 2016 3M Half Marathon (1:29:32).

Ricky Doyle is an avid runner and has been with Spectrum News for 11 years, including the last seven years as Sports Director. He completed his undergraduate degree from Boston College and earned his master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Doyle earned his half marathon PR at the 2009 3M Half Marathon (1:27:44). He lives in Austin with his wife Cortnee and their one-year-old son Beckham, plus two dogs and a cat. Beckham is a frequent companion on his training runs.

“We’re thrilled to have Ricky as our 2018 Charity Chaser and we know he’s just as excited,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “Ricky’s willingness to contribute his miles and platform to positively impact Austin Gives Miles will help us surpass our goals!”

This is the fourth year that the Charity Chaser has started as the final participant on behalf of Austin Gives Miles. In addition to starting last and raising money for a charity on race day, Doyle will generate awareness for the Austin Gives Miles Program, engage all 29 Official Charities, and help the AGM Program surpass its goal of $750,000. Last year’s Charity Chaser, CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler, started the marathon last and finished in 4:26:39, good for 926th place. High Five Events donated $1.25 for every runner she passed, donating $3,671.25 for Camp Kesem – University of Texas.

Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $637,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts during the 2017 Austin Marathon. The Moody Foundation pitched in and matched contributions made, up to $10,000, for each organization. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 500 runners and provided more than 1500 volunteers.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.

Austin Gives Miles Smashes Fundraising Goal

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The Austin Marathon® presented by NXP is proud to announce that the 2017 Austin Gives Miles program, its Official Charity Program, raised more than $637,000, far surpassing its $500,000 fundraising goal. The 26 Central Texas nonprofit organizations accepted into the program worked tirelessly to exceed the program’s fundraising goal while increasing awareness for their organization and recruiting race day volunteers. Hope4Minds, an organization that supports children with an acquired brain injury, was the highest fundraiser, raising more than $41,000.

“We were honored and thankful to be a part of the 2017 Austin Gives Miles Program,” said Ronda Johnson, Hope4Minds Executive Director. “The money we raised through the program and received from the Moody Foundation will transform the lives of the individuals and families we serve here in Central Texas.”

The money raised significantly impacts Central Texas and the communities the charities serve. For the second year in a row, Austin Gives Miles was the beneficiary of a Moody Foundation grant that matched donations for each organization, up to $10,000. You can review the 2017 Austin Gives Miles charities and their fundraising efforts on the Austin Marathon website.The 2018 Austin Gives Miles application process will open on June 1.

“2017 was a banner year for Austin Gives Miles as we surpassed our fundraising goals, saw new and returning runners committing to their favorite causes, and increased awareness for the AGM program,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “I’m excited for 2018 and beyond as we continue to show the running community how we positively impact Central Texas.”

The 2018 Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K starting on June 1st.