This September (Sunday the 29th to be exact) I'll be running the DeMar half marathon again! Members of the Greater Keene Rotaract Club and I are raising funds for our yearly international service project in Talnique, El Salvador. While I am personally not able to participate in the service trip to El Salvador due to the timing with my work schedule, the project is always one of Rotaract's biggest accomplishments for the year. Next spring, Rotaract plans on making structrual improvements to the children's day care and provide school supplies in addition to the yearly task of building a house for a family.
Last year, Rotaract created a running group (the ROADaract Rebels) to help motivate members to train for the half marathon. We've continued the group this year and it's been a great way to bond and for me to get to know Rotaracters outside of our monthly meetings. This group has made running more enjoyable and is the first time I've run in a group since my days on the high school cross-country and track teams. They've been a great support group especially for the long weekend runs.
My individual fundraising goal is $400 and will be accepting donations until October 13. If you’d like to donate to support me in my efforts to complete 13.1 miles and help Team Central America, please click the blue"DONATE" button above. Thank you as always for your support!
Clarence DeMar Marathon & DeMar Half Marathon
Here, anyone who wants to run can run. We’ll make sure you have an world-class experience. All you have to do is start.
The DeMar Marathon course runs through the exquisite New Hampshire countryside. The USATF-certified course includes stunning views of early foliage season, accessible terrain, and a finish line at the historic Appian Way of Keene State College, just steps from where marathon legend Clarence DeMar used to coach collegiate runners.
While there is a net elevation drop from start to finish, this is overall a challenging yet fair test for endurance runners of all abilities. The first half of the 26.2-mile course offers mostly gentle rolling hills. There is a long climb in mile 15 with short steeper climbs in miles 22 and in mile 24 through the beautiful Greenlawn and Woodland cemeteries.
The Full Marathon begins in Gilsum, N.H. The Half Marathon begins at the Surry Recreational Dam in Surry, N.H. The Super Seniors and DeMar Kids Marathon begin 1.2 miles from the finish line.
Learn more about the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Super Seniors Marathon, and DeMar Kids Marathaon.
Team DeMar is proud to work alongside Keene Elm City Rotary to support causes directly impacting the health, wellbeing and growth of the children of our community, and teach youth to be global stewards. The money raised through Team Demar goes directly to these initiatives. We invite all runners, not just local runners, to join Team DeMar and run in support of your community. As part of Team DeMar, you have the option to direct the money you raise to one of four causes. You will work with runners and community members, encouraging and supporting one another as you work towards your individual fundraising goals.
We are proud to announce the follwing 2021 Team DeMar causes!
- Childhood Hunger
- Interact/Roteract Central America
- Unsung Hero Scholarship
- Sneaker Project