Mercedes Marathon

Run or Walk for a Cause

Mercedes Marathon

Included on this site you will find great information to help you maximize your potential as a Partner in Training (PIT). Don’t hesitate to join in on a group run – as you train you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see consistent faces whether it be on Lakeshore Trail, at the Brownell building or running the streets of Birmingham.

In order to truly experience what it means to be a PIT, don’t miss our Meet the Families events. When you form that special connection to your sponsored Bell Center child and you realize that as you train and reach your distance goals, that your Bell Center child is being challenged to go the distance in the classroom and overcoming developmental obstacles, it all comes together.

We each have our own potential to achieve.

As a PIT, let your Bell Center child be your inspiration…and motivation to do great things for others. We encourage you to view The Bell Center Children’s Race to catch a glimpse of these inspiring children and to understand the significant impact you as a PIT play in the operation of The Bell Center. We’re here to assist you in your Partners in Training experience. For specific questions or advice, please contact Julie Gillis or Maureen Farr or call at 879-3417.

Get Involved

Partners In Training

Partners In Training is designed to motivate and support runners or walkers who agree to raise $1310 for The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. PIT participants receive experienced coaching through organized runs as well as training advice, nutritional information, injury prevention and fundraising tips through a monthly email. The program pairs a Mercedes Marathon participant with a past or present Bell Center child, and the runner or walker will train and raise funds in the name of that child. It is an amazing, life-changing experience to dedicate hours of training and focus for a child at risk for developmental delay and then share the race day adventure by wearing a photo of The Bell Center child. While our goal is to maximize the potential of developmentally delayed children, we typically find that our runners experience so much more. Register online now. Application for The Bell Center Partners in Training

Junior Partners in Training

This program is designed for school children ages 11-18. They may select to participate in the BE5K or the Mercedes Marathon 5-person relay; or both. Participants train for the race, run in honor of a Bell Center student, and raise $310 for The Bell Center. As an incentive, the various schools that participate have friendly competitions to see who will have the most Junior Partners in Training and who will raise the most funds. Register online now.

Jr. PIT Service Log

Kids’ Mercedes Marathon

Presented by The Service Guild of Birmingham –The Service Guild of Birmingham is proud to be a partner with the Mercedes Marathon Event team. Each family that registers a child will have the opportunity to make a donation to The Service Guild in support of The Bell Center Early Intervention Programs.

Log on to www.mercedesmarathon.com for more details.

To make your PIT donation visit our secure FirstGiving site today.

Details & Registration

Partners In Training (PIT) is designed to motivate and support runners or walkers who agree to raise $1310 for The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs.

The program pairs a Mercedes Marathon participant with a past or present Bell Center child and the runner or walker will train and raise funds in the name of that child. It is an amazing, life changing experience to dedicate hours of training and focus for a child at risk for developmental delay. Our goal is to maximize the potential of developmentally delayed children yet we typically find that our participants experience the maximization of their inner potential as well.

PIT Details include:

Participants may run or walk the 13.1 mile Half Marathon, run the 26.2 mile marathon or create a five-person relay team, all being at least 11 years of age on race day. The relay is held on the same course as the individual marathon and run at the same time. The distances for each leg are approximately 10k (6.2 miles), 5k (3.1 miles), 10k, 5k, and 12k (7.6 miles). The fundraising requirement for a relay team is $2620. Team members must submit all five entries together and must designate one team captain.

  • Partners in Training will provide organized training runs with experienced coaches
  • A monthly email newsletter with training advice, nutritional information, injury prevention and fundraising tips
  • Each PIT will receive a picture of the child for whom you are running and raising funds along with a Partners in Training running shirt to wear race weekend
  • An early morning hospitality room on race day with breakfast, photo opportunities and bathrooms
  • A Meet the Families Kickoff Event, Bell Center Holiday Party and Carbs For A Cause dinner to meet and interact with your Bell Center child and family
  • PIT Finale Celebration and Awards Party to reward a few of our top fundraisers and celebrate our success

JUNIOR Partners In Training (PIT) is designed to engage school children ages 11 and up to train and raise money for the children of The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. The goal is to couple a healthy, active lifestyle with a passion for work within the community. We will gladly sign off on required school service commitment hours dedicated to the participant’s training and fundraising.

The JUNIOR PIT can select the BE&K 5K or the Mercedes Marathon 4 person relay based on athletic training and conditioning. Each participant will be paired with a past or present Bell Center child and the student will train and raise funds in the name of that child. It is an amazing, life-changing experience to dedicate hours of training and focus for a child at risk for developmental delay. Our goal is to maximize the potential of developmentally delayed children while laying the groundwork for students to discover the benefits of exercise and a heart for serving within the community.

JUNIOR PIT Details include:

  • Online Application
  • Printable Application
  • $50 registration fee to participate
  • Participants may run the 3.1 miles BE&K 5K or create a five-person relay team for the Mercedes Marathon. To participate in the relay, all members of the team must be at least 11 years of age on race day. The relay is held on the same course as the individual marathon and run at the same time. The distances for each leg are approximately 10k (6.2 miles), 5k (3.1 miles), 10k, 5k, and 12k (7.6 miles). Team members must submit all five entries together and must designate one team captain.
  • The JUNIOR PIT fundraising goal is $310 per student
  • Registration for either the BE&K 5K or The Mercedes Marathon 5-person Relay
  • Each JUNIOR PIT will receive a picture of the child for whom they are running and raising funds along with a Partners in Training running shirt to wear race weekend
  • For those participating in the MM Relay, an early morning hospitality room on race day with breakfast, photo opportunities and bathrooms
  • A Meet the Families Kickoff Event, Bell Center Holiday Party and Carbs For A Cause dinner to meet and interact with your Bell Center child and family

**Tell the Trak Shak you’re a Bell Center PIT and they will happily give you a 15% discount!!

Fundraising

Online Fundraising

The First Giving (formerly Just Giving) website is a quick and easy way to start your fundraising process for The Bell Center. It allows you to establish a personal webpage to share your message, track goals and accept online donations.

3 EASY STEPS

1. Log on to: www.firstgiving.com/bellcenter

2. Click on “Get Started” and select the Mercedes Marathon

3. Create your page

The best way to create a successful page is to make it personal. Share a story about your connection to The Bell Center and your training process including tough days and great runs. Don’t forget to tell everyone about the special child whom is providing the motivation to run. Share their developmental challenges and triumphs as well. And of course, include a picture of you and your Bell Center child.

We highly recommend using both online fundraising and a more traditional letter campaign for the maximum fundraising potential!

Partners in Training (PIT) Events

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Partners in Training (PIT) Newsletter

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Weekly Group Runs

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