Marathon High Inc

About Marathon High Inc

Marathon High is a free, noncompetitive youth wellness and development program empowering Northeast Florida high school students to discover they are capable of extraordinary things. Through a 16-week training program culminating in the DONNA Half Marathon, students of all fitness levels build confidence, resilience, mental well-being, healthy habits, and a sense of belonging. Supported by volunteer coaches and Running Buddies, students learn that achieving something extraordinary begins with taking the first step. Since 2011, more than 2,600 students have crossed a half-marathon finish line through Marathon High.

What differentiates you from the competition?

Marathon High isn’t about competition or athletic ability. It’s about helping teenagers discover their potential. Unlike traditional sports programs, there are no tryouts, no pace requirements, and no expectation that students already know how to run. We welcome all fitness levels and use the Galloway Run-Walk-Run method to make endurance training accessible. Our program is completely free, removing financial barriers to participation. Over 16 weeks, students train alongside caring adult mentors, developing confidence, resilience, and meaningful relationships. The half marathon is their goal, but the personal growth they experience along the way is our greatest achievement.

What are your top selling services or products that your company offers?

Our unique approach combines physical activity, mentorship, and personal development into one completely free experience. Students train together three times a week for 16 weeks, progressing toward a half marathon regardless of their starting fitness level. Along the way, they receive encouragement, training resources, and a supportive community. We aren’t simply teaching students to run 13.1 miles. We’re helping them believe they can accomplish things they once thought impossible.

If you had one message to get across to future customers, what would it be?

Every teenager deserves the opportunity to discover what they are capable of accomplishing. At Marathon High, we believe the lessons learned through running extend far beyond the finish line. Whether you’re a student looking for a place to belong, a volunteer ready to make a difference, or a business interested in investing in local youth, there is a place for you in the Marathon High family. Together, we’re helping teens discover they’re capable of extraordinary things.

What is the biggest marketing challenge that you will face in the upcoming year?

Our greatest marketing challenge is increasing awareness of Marathon High beyond the running community. Many people assume we are simply a running program, when our mission is much bigger. Running is the tool we use to help teenagers develop confidence, resilience, mental well-being, and lifelong healthy habits. We want to reach more students and families who may not consider themselves athletic, while also connecting with businesses, donors, and volunteers who believe in investing in local youth. Sharing authentic student stories and demonstrating the lasting impact of our program will be essential to expanding our community support.

What is the biggest operational challenge that you will face in the upcoming year? Our biggest operational challenge is sustaining and expanding a completely free program while meeting the growing needs of our students. As a small nonprofit serving multiple schools across three counties, we rely heavily on volunteer coaches, community partnerships, and charitable contributions. Rising costs for equipment, hydration, nutrition, transportation, and program coordination make securing consistent funding essential to ensuring every student has the resources and support needed to su

What is the core mission of your organization? Marathon High’s mission is to empower high school students to discover they are capable of extraordinary things. Through a free, noncompetitive 16-week endurance running program, we help teens of all fitness levels strengthen their mental well-being, confidence, resilience, sense of belonging, and healthy habits. While our students train to complete a half marathon, our true purpose extends far beyond the finish line. We want every student to recognize their potential, develop meaningful relationships, and carry the lessons of perseverance and determination into every aspect of their lives.

How do you measure impact and success in your programs? We measure success through student participation, engagement, training milestones, and ultimately how many students complete the DONNA Half Marathon. During our 2025-2026 season, approximately 220 students registered across 10 Northeast Florida high schools, and 117 crossed the half-marathon finish line. Since 2011, more than 2,600 students have accomplished that goal through Marathon High.

But some of our most meaningful successes cannot be measured by numbers alone. It’s seeing a student who initially struggled to complete a mile develop the confidence to tackle longer distances. It’s watching friendships form, students encourage one another, and teenagers begin believing in themselves. We also rely on feedback from students, coaches, and families to understand how the program is making a difference.

What are your biggest fundraising or outreach challenges? Our biggest challenge is building sustainable financial support while increasing awareness of what Marathon High truly does. Because our program is completely free, we depend on grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, fundraising events, and community partnerships to provide the resources our students need.

Another challenge is helping people understand that Marathon High is much more than a running program. We are a youth development organization using endurance running to strengthen mental well-being, resilience, confidence, and belonging. Expanding our reach beyond the traditional running community is essential to attracting new supporters, volunteers, and partners who share our commitment to investing in local teenagers.

How do you build long-term relationships with donors and supporters? I believe strong partnerships begin with genuine relationships, communication, and shared purpose. We want our donors and community partners to feel connected to Marathon High and understand the difference their support makes for our students.

We recognize their generosity, share program updates and student achievements, and invite them to experience our mission firsthand through training events, volunteer opportunities, and community activities. I also believe it’s important to look for ways we can support our partners in return.

My goal is to build relationships that extend beyond a single donation or sponsorship. When supporters see the confidence, determination, and personal growth of our students, they become part of the Marathon High family and the lasting impact we are working to create.

What trends are influencing the nonprofit world today? I think nonprofits are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable impact while navigating rising operating costs and greater competition for charitable dollars. Donors want to know exactly how their contributions are making a difference, which makes transparency, storytelling, and meaningful outcomes more important than ever.

I’m also seeing growing recognition of the importance of youth mental well-being, healthy relationships, and accessible opportunities for physical activity. For Marathon High, these priorities reinforce why our mission matters.

I believe successful nonprofits will be those that build authentic community partnerships, diversify their funding, and clearly communicate both the measurable results and the human stories behind their work.

Can you share a story that shows your mission in action? One of my favorite things about Marathon High is watching the transformation that happens over 16 weeks. Many students join us having never participated in organized sports. Some are nervous about running even one mile, much less 13.1.

Throughout the season, they experience difficult practices, celebrate small victories, encourage their teammates, and gradually discover they can do more than they ever imagined.

Then comes race day. Watching students cross the DONNA Half Marathon finish line, often with their coaches, Running Buddies, and families cheering them on, is incredibly emotional. You can see the pride and disbelief on their faces.

What makes those moments so powerful is knowing they didn’t just complete a half marathon. They proved something to themselves. And hopefully, the next time life presents them with something difficult, they’ll remember that feeling and believe they can overcome that challenge, too.

What keeps you motivated in this work? Without question, it’s the students. I have spent much of my professional career involved in community engagement and philanthropy, but there is something incredibly special about Marathon High.

Watching a teenager go from questioning whether they can run a mile to crossing a half-marathon finish line is an experience that’s difficult to put into words. I love seeing their confidence grow, watching them support one another, and knowing that the lessons they are learning will stay with them long after the season ends.

I’m also continually inspired by our volunteer coaches and Running Buddies, who give so much of themselves to help these students succeed.

I’ve been with Marathon High for just over a year, and I can genuinely say that I believe in this program more every day. Knowing that we’re helping young people discover their strength and potential is what keeps me motivated, even on the challenging days.