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Run the Boston Marathon with Team Esplanade
The Esplanade Association is honored to be an official charity of the Boston Marathon®, and we are thrilled to bring together Team Esplanade for the 114th running of one of the world’s most prestigious races. Over the past two years, Team Esplanade has raised over $150,000 in support of our mission, and we and invite you to join us as we run 26.2 miles for the Esplanade.
While we require a substantial commitment of time, energy, and enthusiasm from our runners, we feel strongly that we need to provide our runners with even more. We will offer as many resources as possible to help you achieve your running and fundraising goals, and commit to providing members of Team Esplanade with the following:
The Esplanade Association will strive to make the training, fundraising, and overall Boston Marathon experience as meaningful, fun, supportive, and empowering as possible for all of our runners, and we thank you for your interest in running with Team Esplanade.
Team Esplanade is Looking for Qualified Runners
If you have already qualified to run the 2010 Boston Marathon (congratulations!), we would still love to have you join our team, and we invite all qualified runners to enhance their Boston Marathon experience by running in support of The Esplanade Association. Benefit from a coach who can get you to a new best time, a team that will motivate you through the icy training runs of winter, and a pride that can only come from running 26.2 miles for one of Boston's most loved natural resources. Please contact Chris Murton with any questions about this opportunity.
The Esplanade Association is proud to introduce our head coach, Rick Muhr. Rick was the head coach for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America's Team In Training program for 12 years beginning in 1996, and he brings an incredibly accomplished history as a both a runner and a coach to Team Esplanade. Rick joined Team In Training shortly after losing his mother to leukemia in 1996. During a conversation he had with his mother just before she passed, Rick promised her he would do something significant with his life that would make her proud. Rick joined Team In Training as a qualified runner for the 1997 Boston Marathon and was asked to become the head coach shortly thereafter. He completed his 12th Boston Marathon with Team In Training in 2008, and was instrumental in raising more than $52 million dollars in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission.
In 2008, Rick decided to find a new challenge, and contacted The Esplanade Association about becoming our head coach. He has been an invaluable asset to Team Esplanade for the past year, bringing an expertise honed by coaching 15,000 marathon runners throughout the world. Rick strives to help every runner on an individual basis, and will commit the same energy and enthusiasm to every runner on our team, no matter his or her experience, pace, or running ambition.
“Welcome to another exciting Boston Marathon season! I am so pleased to be working with The Esplanade Association again. Together, our efforts will help to restore and enhance Boston’s historic Esplanade, to transform it into the park we know it can be—the park that it must be to serve the community that relies on it. I am honored and privileged to play a role in this goal by helping you fundraise and train to complete the Boston Marathon.”
How do I join The Esplanade Association’s marathon team?
Please fill out the Team Esplanade application available on this website and mail, fax, or email it using the provided contact information. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Murton at 617-227-0365 or cmurton@esplanadeassociation.org.
Are there any requirements to be a member of Team Esplanade?
Yes. You must commit to a fundraising goal of at least $3,250, attend two of the first three team training runs (November 21, December 5, and 19, 2009), attend the Team Esplanade kickoff meeting on November 14, and be able to finish the 26.2 mile course in less than 6 hours. See the terms and conditions section of the application for more details.
Can I raise more than the $3,250 minimum?
We hope you do! In reviewing applications, we will give preference to individuals who aim to raise at least $4,500.
What happens if I don't meet the $3,250 fundraising minimum?
If you accept a place on Team Esplanade and receive a waiver entry, you are contractually obligated to raise at least $3,250 on behalf of The Esplanade Association. This is an obligation set by the Boston Athletic Association. If you are unable to meet your commitment, The Esplanade Association reserves the right to charge the difference to that credit card that you must submit as part of the application.
That said, The Esplanade Association staff will do everything we can to help you not only meet the minimum, but raise more money than you ever expected.
What if I can't make any of the training runs and team meetings?
We hope that you’ll make every effort to attend all team runs, not only because we strive to build a strong and united team, but because coach Rick Muhr offers unmatched, personalized attention to all aspects of your training. However, we understand that people have busy schedules, so we ask that you let us know if and when you have a conflict.
Please prioritize the first three training runs (you are required to attend two): November 21, December 5 and 19, 2009. Our first team meeting will be Saturday, November 14, at 5 p.m. on the Esplanade. Other monthly meeting dates and times are to be determined.
What if I get injured or have to leave Team Esplanade?
If you are injured or need to leave the team before January 2, 2010, you may be released from your fundraising commitment and are not obligated to raise any more money for The Esplanade Association; we are not able to refund any donations that you have secured.
If you are unable to train for and run the marathon after this date, you must still meet the minimum fundraising commitment of $3,250. However, in this situation you are immediately eligible to run the 2011 Boston Marathon as a waiver runner, and are not obligated to fundraise for a charity such as The Esplanade Association in order to receive this waiver number.
How do I get more information about the Boston Marathon?
For more information about the marathon, visit the Boston Athletic Association website.
The Esplanade Association
10 Derne Street
Boston, MA 02114
617.227.0365