BellRunners (formerly called Partners In Training) is an initiative of The Service Guild of Birmingham designed to motivate and support runners or walkers who agree to raise at least $1310 for The Bell Center Early Intervention Programs.
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.
BellRunner details include:
- Online Application
- Printable Application
- $100 registration fee for each BellRunner and each member of a relay team
- Registration fee includes participation in the Red Nose Run and The Mercedes Marathon
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 of the relay 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 BellRunner will receive a picture of the child for whom you are running and raising funds along with a BellRunner running shirt to wear race weekend.
- Pre-race free coffee and PowerBars provided for all BellRunner participants.
- 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.
- BellRunner VIP Post-Race Area at Boutwell Auditorium.
- BellRunner Finale Celebration and Awards announced at Boutwell Auditorium on Race Day in the afternoon to reward a few of our top fundraisers and celebrate our success.