Maine Marathon names nonprofit beneficiaries for 2023

Marathon runners in action, with people watching

File photo The Gorham Savings Bank Maine Marathon, organized by the Maine Track Club. is a nonprofit, all-volunteer event scheduled to take place on Oct. 1 in Portland.

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By Renee Cordes

No matter who crosses the finish line first in October's Gorham Savings Bank Maine Marathon, four nonprofits will emerge winners as beneficiaries of the 2023 edition.

This year’s prime race beneficiaries are the Ecology School in Saco; the Maine Children’s Cancer Program at Maine Medical Center’s Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland; Veggies to Table in Newcastle; and the YMCA Camp of Maine in Winthrop, organizers announced this week.

The marathon, organized by the Maine Track Club. is a nonprofit, all-volunteer event in Portland with a charitable giving mission.

Since 1997, the Maine Marathon has donated more than $5.4 million to Maine charities. More than 50 volunteer race coordinators plan the event during the year, and over 900 volunteers lend a hand on race weekend.

Among this year’s beneficiaries, the Ecology School and Maine Children’s Center Program are in line to receive $20,000; Veggies to Table Newcastle will receive $15,750; and the YMCA Camp of Maine in Winthrop will receive $4,250.

“These organizations profoundly impact Maine’s children, young adults and families by providing education, sustenance, life-saving treatment and fun. All necessary components of a thriving community,” said Steve deCastro, president and CEO of Gorham Savings Bank. "They are a force for good – as we aim to be – in the communities they serve.”

Bob Dunfey, the marathon's volunteer race director, noted that as a nonprofit event, he expects around 4,000 runners to register this year, representing every state and about 10 countries.

“As a nonprofit race, almost 40% of our revenue goes to nonprofit organizations each year. That’s due to the generous role our valued partner, Gorham Savings Bank, plays,” Dunfey said in Tuesday's news release. “Since 1997, this effort has helped us raise more than $6.3 million for worthy causes. The total economic impact on the local economy from the marathon weekend is more than $1.3 million.”

Marathon beneficiaries directly benefit from registration fees, but they also rally volunteers to help with anything from water stations to clean up during race weekend. Gorham Savings has been the event's title sponsor since 2010.