Registration for 10th Annual Grand Blue Mile opens to record demand / February 14, 2019
It took less than 48 hours from Feb. 12 – 13 for more than 2,300 runners, walkers and joggers from 16 states to register for the 2019 Grand Blue Mile, marking the event’s 10th anniversary.
“We’re incredibly humbled by the record-setting response we’ve received through the first phase of registration,” said Blake Boldon, Director of the Drake Relays. “It’s affirming and energizing to see thousands of participants from across the country recognize how special this event is and quickly move to reserve their place at the starting line.”
Charitable donations to Iowa Kidstrong — the nonprofit beneficiary of Grand Blue Mile — have also been pouring in to support the organization’s signature youth fitness programs. A combined $3,200 from hundreds of individual donors is already banked for 2019, pushing the total raised for Iowa Kidstrong to more than $70,000 over the life of the event.
“The historical generosity of our participants is well documented, and these additional donations only underscore that fact,” said Chris Verlengia, Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®’s senior brand marketing manager and Grand Blue Mile co-race director. “Keeping the Grand Blue Mile affordable and accessible has enabled us to do tremendous good in the way of encouraging healthy habits for current and future generations of Iowans.”
Registration for the 10th Annual Grand Blue Mile continues through April 23 at GrandBlueMile.com.