Writer / Allison Yates
Photographer / Brian Brosmer
On August 28, the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville received $7,000 from the 4th annual Noblesville Mini Marathon sponsored by Hare Chevrolet and Riverview Health, held on May 27.
The Boys & Girls Club, a cornerstone of the community, provides sports and physical fitness programming and other afterschool programs, all which include elements of character building and leadership activities to “nurture the next generation of leaders in our city, state and nation,” says Becky Terry, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club.
For Terry, the spirit of the Mini Marathon embodies what the club instills in the youth: volunteerism, helpfulness, kindness and health lifestyles. The funds have also made an impact.
“We continue to serve meals to more than 100 children two nights per week and 200+ weekend snack packs are sent home each Friday to address any food insecurities there may be in the home,” Terry says.
The club is crucial to Noblesville youth’s development and offers services at an affordable price. Annual membership to the club is $45, while the cost to provide services is $428.
The race wouldn’t be possible without its dedicated volunteers and sponsors, including Hare Chevrolet and Riverview Health who are proud to be supporting the Boys & Girls Club.
“We love sponsoring the Noblesville Mini-Marathon,” says Seth Warren, president and CEO of Riverview Health. “The mission of Riverview Health is to improve and preserve the health and well-being of those we serve, and this sponsorship does that in two ways — by encouraging physical activity with the races and also by benefitting the Boys & Girls Club, such a worthy organization. We’re happy to continue this partnership.”
When Courtney Cole (previous co-owner of Hare) started the race four years ago, “she had the hopes of it turning into something huge that would help so many,” says Jason Horack, General Manager of Hare. It has, Horack explains, “with the help of so many.” Now, the race has raised more than $30,000 for the club.
For Race Director Scott Cranfill, who works in IT and is also the author of the book “Organize a 5K: The complete guide to planning a run/walk to achieve your fundraising and business goals”, the Boys & Girls Club is “near and dear” to his heart. He played basketball there as a kid and participated in their afterschool programs. Supporting it, he says, is “a win for me, but it’s also a great organization for Noblesville and surrounding areas.”
The race, which has between 800-900 participants, also includes a 10k, 5k and kiddie run. Community members can walk or run through the course that features parts of Noblesville “we all love,” says Cranfill, including Potter’s Bridge, Downtown and Noblesville High School Football field, where it starts and ends.
“It is a great event that brings all of Noblesville together along with some visitors from other towns and state,” Horack says.
Even if families aren’t interested in walking or running, there are still plenty of ways to be involved, including volunteering.
The 5th Noblesville Mini Marathon will be held on May 26, 2018. For more information visit noblesvilleminimarathon.com.
