Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes set for April 20-21, 2013

The Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club is pleased announce a new, exciting event coming to eastern Iowa. The Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes will take place April 20-21, 2013 in Marion, IA.

The weekend will be filled with a variety of health & fitness activities including a marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 5k, mile fun run, community bike ride, health expo, and pasta dinner. Proceeds from the marathon weekend will benefit programs supported by the Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club, including Shoes for Kids (see description below).

The 26.2 mile marathon is a first for the Cedar Rapids market. Participants will be treated to a relatively flat course throughout the Marion community. Registration and complete marathon details are now available at www.marathonforshoes.com.

The Marion Rotary Marathon for Shoes is a community event in partnership with a variety of other charitable organizations including Marion Cares, Go the Distance for Crime Victims, Soles4Souls, and several more.

Current sponsors include University of Iowa Community Credit Union, KCRG-TV9, The Gazette, TransAmerica, Farmer's State Bank, Cedar Valley Hand Surgery, and the City of Marion. Companies interested in supporting this event can email info@marathonforshoes.com.

The marathon route is pending certification with USA Track & Field.

For additional information, contact: Nick Glew, Chair of Marketing & Sponsorships, at 319-560-6591

About Shoes for Kids

A major activity of the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club is “Shoes for Kids.” Funds raised provide school nurses in the Cedar Rapids/Marion metropolitan area the ability to directly help kids. It begins with nurses who identify students in need who may not have adequate shoes. In partnership with Payless Shoe Source, the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club provides a “shoe card” that can be used for the purchase of a new pair of shoes. Since the program started in 2003, more than two-thousand pairs of shoes have been purchased for children in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area.

About the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club

The Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club is an organization of local business and professional individuals working with other Rotarians worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and live out the motto “Service Above Self.” The club is made up of 47 members and is a 501c3 charitable organization.