GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After 25 years, the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon has officially said goodbye.
For the last quarter-century, the race has attracted runners from across the country and world, combining fitness and fun while also benefiting nonprofits in the Green Bay community. May’s event marked the final Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.
On Wednesday, representatives from the marathon and its past and present charity partners gathered at the Legacy Hotel in Green Bay to reflect on how the marathon made a difference.
“It’s just so beautiful to see and think about 25 years of what this has meant to people and the impact that it has made. It really goes back to groups of committed leaders and people who are willing to put their hearts into something for the community. It can mean big things and big impact, and it’s been a blast,” said Brighid Riordan, CEO of Cellcom and board vice president of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.
The marathon leaves behind a legacy of nearly $2 million donated to local charities since the race’s inception in 2000.
During Wednesday’s farewell celebration, Riordan announced the marathon’s 2024 grand total donation to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and New Community Shelter, the charity partners who benefitted from this year’s event. The two nonprofits will split just under $108,000.
Additionally, in a special surprise, $81,000 in remaining funds were split in a donation to all the charities that have participated throughout the marathon’s 25-year life.
“Giving back is something that’s in our nature, and it’s in so many people’s nature in Green Bay. We want to help each other,” Riordan said. “So it’s been so beautiful seeing all the things the marathon created outside of the marathon in helping nonprofits get into a better situation than they are and doing more good.”
We have such fantastic nonprofits in our area and they do the really hard work. So to be able to help them do what they do best has really been an honor.
So, what’s next? Riordan revealed the endeavor will be related to “the eco-impact of the region” — for example, protecting freshwater, mountain bike trails, fishing and hunting.
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