September 10, 2009
Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is Sept. 13
The 21st annual event takes critical steps in the fight against cancer
On Sunday, Sept. 13, 8,000 people from around New England will lace up their sneakers and take part in the 21st annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk. Whether walking for themselves, their loved ones, neighbors, or coworkers, they share a common purpose: to raise money to support research for the development of more effective cancer treatments.
Presented by Hyundai Motor America and its more than 600 U.S. dealers, the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk gives participants the unique opportunity to walk along the Boston Marathon's historic route. It is the only event, other than the Boston Marathon, that is sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association to use the official historic Boston Marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston.
The goal for this year's Walk is to raise more than $6 million for the Jimmy Fund, which supports the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dana-Farber treats adult and child oncology patients, and is a leader in innovative cancer research. The money raised by the walkers directly benefits not only local patients, but people around the world as top doctors and researchers utilize the work conducted at Dana-Farber and its findings.
"The collective grit, determination and courage one needs to battle cancer is symbolized by the yearly ritual of thousands of walkers who endure the 26-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston," says Ann Beach, director of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. "They walk to raise money for research and patient care that will help people live with, or survive, cancer." The Walk has raised more than $60 million since its founding in 1989.
Walkers may choose to walk one of five routes: the entire 26.2-mile route, the 14-mile route from Babson College, the 13.1-mile route from Wellesley, the 5-mile route from Boston College, or the 3-mile route with patients and their families starting at the main Dana-Farber campus. For those who are unable to participate in the Walk itself, there is also a virtual walk option, allowing participants to fundraise online and "walk" along the route via an interactive map.
All participants on the Hopkinton to Boston (26.2-miles), Hopkinton to Babson (14-miles), and Babson to Boston (13.1-miles) routes must raise a minimum of $250 in contributions; for the Boston College 5-mile and the Boston 3-mile Walk, the fundraising requirement is $250 for walkers age 13 and older and $100 for walkers 12 and younger.
Walkers are treated to a victory party at the Copley Square finish line, complete with food and music. Walkers begin in Hopkinton between 6:30-7 a.m., at Babson College between 8:30-11 a.m., at Boston College between 10-11:30 a.m., and in Boston at 2:00 p.m.
To register or make financial contributions for the 21st annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, visit www.jimmyfundwalk.org, www.jimmyfund.org or call (866) JF-1-WALK.
Media contact
Caitie Peterson
(617) 269-7171
caitlin@teakmedia.com
