The Service Guild of Birmingham

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Details & Registration

Group PIT shot before the race

Partners In Training (PIT) is an initiative of The Service Guild of Birmingham designed to motivate and support runners or walkers who agree to raise $1310 for The Bell Center Early Intervention Program.

The program pairs a Mercedes Marathon participant with a past or present Bell Center child and the runner or walker will train and raise funds in the name of that child. It is an amazing, life changing experience to dedicate hours of training and focus for a child at risk for developmental delay. Our goal is to maximize the potential of developmentally delayed children yet we typically find that our participants experience the maximization of their inner potential as well.

PIT Details include:

Participants may run or walk the 13.1 mile Half Marathon, run the 26.2 mile marathon or create a five-person relay team, all being at least 11 years of age on race day. The relay is held on the same course as the individual marathon and run at the same time. The distances for each leg are approximately 10k (6.2 miles), 5k (3.1 miles), 10k, 5k, and 12k (7.6 miles). The fundraising requirement for a relay team is $2620. Team members must submit all five entries together and must designate one team captain.

  • The Service Guild will provide organized training runs with experienced coaches
  • A monthly email newsletter with training advice, nutritional information, injury prevention and fundraising tips along with highlights of information (your motivation) about the kids at The Bell Center
  • Each PIT will receive a picture of the child for whom you are running and raising funds along with a Partners in Training running shirt to wear race weekend
  • An early morning hospitality room on race day with breakfast, photo opportunities and bathrooms
  • One ticket to the Carbs For A Cause pasta dinner on Saturday, February 13 (a pasta dinner sponsored by Macaroni Grill and hosted by the parents of The Bell Center). Additional tickets may be purchased for $10 at The Bell Center.
  • A Meet the Families Kickoff Event, Bell Center Holiday Party and Carbs For A Cause dinner to meet and interact with your Bell Center child and family
  • PIT Finale Celebration and Awards Party to reward a few of our top fundraisers and celebrate our success

JUNIOR Partners In Training (PIT) is an initiative of The Service Guild of Birmingham designed to engage school children ages 11 and up to train and raise money for the children of The Bell Center Early Intervention Program. The goal is to couple a healthy, active lifestyle with a passion for work within the community. The Service Guild Chair will gladly sign off on required school service commitment hours dedicated to the participant’s training and fundraising.

The JUNIOR PIT can select the BE&K 5K or the Mercedes Marathon 5 person relay based on athletic training and conditioning. Each participant will be paired with a past or present Bell Center child and the student will train and raise funds in the name of that child. It is an amazing, life changing experience to dedicate hours of training and focus for a child at risk for developmental delay. Our goal is to maximize the potential of developmentally delayed children while laying the groundwork for students to discover the benefits of exercise and a heart for serving within the community.

JUNIOR PIT  Details include:

  • Online Application
  • Printable Application
  • $50 registration fee to participate
  • Participants may run the 3.1 miles BE&K 5K or create a five-person relay team for the Mercedes Marathon. To participate in the relay, all members of the team must be at least 11 years of age on race day. The relay is held on the same course as the individual marathon and run at the same time. The distances for each leg are approximately 10k (6.2 miles), 5k (3.1 miles), 10k, 5k, and 12k (7.6 miles). Team members must submit all five entries together and must designate one team captain.
  • The JUNIOR PIT fundraising goal is $310 per student
  • Registration for either the BE&K 5K or The Mercedes Marathon 5-person Relay
  • Each JUNIOR PIT will receive a picture of the child for whom they are running and raising funds along with a Partners in Training running shirt to wear race weekend
  • For those participating in the MM Relay, an early morning hospitality room on race day with breakfast, photo opportunities and bathrooms
  • One ticket to the Carbs For A Cause pasta dinner on Saturday, February 13 sponsored by Macaroni Grill and hosted by the parents of The Bell Center. Additional tickets may be purchased for $10 at The Bell Center.
  • A Meet the Families Kickoff Event, Bell Center Holiday Party and Carbs For A Cause dinner to meet and interact with your Bell Center child and family

**Tell the Trak Shak you’re a Service Guild PIT and they will happily give you a 15% discount!!