Mount Desert Island Marathon
P.O. Box 1032, Northeast Harbor, MAINE, 04662 USA
www.mdimarathon.org
BAR HARBOR, ME- (June 21, 2005) The Mount Desert Island Marathon is pleased and excited to announce a partnership has been formed with The Neighborhood House located in Northeast Harbor right on the marathon route. The marathon committee met with Town of Mt. Desert officials and were granted permission to name a mile long section of spectacular Sargeant Drive, one the most picturesque roads on the island or anywhere in the world the 'Mile of Champions' for the annual running of the 26 mile, 385 yard event at the classic Olympic distance.
Beginning within mile 15 of the marathon course at the old pine tree (that has been incorporated into the MDI Marathon race logo) which overlooks Somes Sound, and ending exactly one mile later, the 'Mile of Champions' contains many individual pink granite coping stones, standing like sentinels along the side of only fjord in the eastern United States, some weighing a ton or more. Each stone may be adopted or sponsored and named in honor of a business, family, individual, or participating athlete. The stones will not be marked, altered or disrupted in any way, but will instead act as silent, yet very symbolic gesture.
Some of the first stones will be named in honor of our previous MDI Marathon Champions, for men David Herr in 02+ 03, Judson Cake in 04 and women's champions Kim Pursley-Goff in 02, Lara Judson in 03 and Christine Ganz in 04.
"Our hope is that this stretch of road will become even more of a special place as our runners pass this beautiful mile each year, a kind of silent tribute to greatness" explained race founder and organizer, Gary Allen.
When a stone is adopted it will be named in the honor of the sponsor(s) and a permanent detailed record will be kept as well as a numerical listing of donors matched to their stones and listed each year in the official MDI Marathon race program. Anyone who wishes to adopt a stone on the newly designated 'Mile of Champions' is encouraged to do so quickly as all are expected to sell out. There has been a great initial response from potential sponsors and all are encouraged to adopt a stone. The MDI Marathon has named the Neighborhood House as the primary beneficiary and significant part of the proceeds raised will help to fund their important work and programs.
The MDI Marathon staff will send each donor a beautiful certificate indicating that they have adopted a stone along the MDI Marathon's, 'Mile of Champions' and directions to find their actual stone. Funds raised will help to support the Mount Desert Island Marathon and The Neighborhood House now and into the future. Both are registered not for profit organizations and all contributions are fully tax deductible.
Adopt a stone
or email us for more information: information@mdimarathon.org