Tufts team gears up for Boston Marathon

Members of Tufts’ fourth annual President’s Marathon Challenge team will gather in Hopkinton on Patriots Day, April 17, 2006, to run the Boston Marathon and raise funds for several signature programs at Tufts. This past April, 181 Tufts runners raised more than $350,000 to support nutrition, medical and fitness research, education and outreach programs at the university.

This year, the goal is to field a team of 200 runners. Numbers will be provided to faculty and staff, alumni, parents and friends who commit to raising a minimum of $2,500. Students are asked to raise $1,000. Numbers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tufts runners will be supported every step of the way during their training by a cadre of dedicated Tufts faculty experts and members of the Athletics Department. Don Megerle, the 34-year men’s swimming coach, Prof. Miriam Nelson from the Friedman School and Eric Johnson from University Advancement again will direct the team’s training, coaching and fund-raising efforts.

The requirement of raising $2,500 may keep some otherwise-enthusiastic participants on the sidelines. If you feel that you cannot commit to raising this amount, a limited number of entries have been set aside with a fund-raising goal of $1,000. Applicants for this level should contact the marathon coordinators.

To take up the challenge, please sign up online at http://marathon.president.tufts.edu. For more information, explore the website or contact Don Megerle at marathonchallenge@tufts.edu.