Hello friends!
This September I will be running the DeMar Marathon for the first time. The DeMar race is special to me because in 2015 it was my first half marathon and the race that started me on my running journey. I have since run many other races including two additional half marathons as well as my first marathon in April of this year.
In addition to running the full DeMar for the first time, this year will also be the first time that I have run for Team DeMar to give back to my community. I will be fundraising for Partners at the Table which is a summer program that works in partnership with the Keene Community Kitchen and aims to provide families in need three meals a day through the summer while kids are not in school. For many families school meal programs are a vital component in avoiding food scarcity, and summer breaks are a challenging time. No family should have to wonder how to put meals on the table & I hope my fundraising helps the Keene Elm City Rotary's efforts to solve this issue locally.
Please help me in giving back to the Keene community by making a donation. I appreciate your help & will run extra hard on race day as a 'thank you'.
-Laura
Four Causes for the 2022 Team DeMar:
"Follow ME" -Kids DeMar Marathon Program
Support the Kids DeMar Marathon program encouraging elementary age students to be active. Every 2nd grader in Cheshire County gets a new pair of sneakers. Over 800 given out each year.
Partners at the Table
A summer feeding program aimed to provide families in need 3 meals a day through the summer while kids are not in school. In partnership with the Keene Community Kitchen
Team Service: Central America
Each February students from Monadnock Regional High School Interact (student Rotarian) Club give up their vacation time to travel to Central America where they work long, hot hours building homes for families who literally live in shacks of cardboard and rusted sheet metal.
Unsung Hero Scholarship
For over a decade Keene Elm City Rotary has been helping students who might not otherwise receive much deserved recognition or financial help. The Keene Elm City Rotary “Unsung Hero” scholarship fund is designed to celebrate the courageous students of our region, those who embody the Rotary ideal of service above self.
2022 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!
- "Follow ME" -Kids DeMar Marathon Program
- Partners at the Table
- Team Service: Central America
- Unsung Hero Scholarship