With an announcement today from the TCS New York City Marathon, it’s official: the charity programs of all three of America’s most prestigious marathons raised record amounts in 2024.
Leading the fundraising pack (by a nose) was the Bank of America Boston Marathon which brought in $71.9 million last April. New York came in second with a haul of $70 million. And rounding out this impressive field, Chicago generated $36 million to support nonprofit organizations.
In each case, nonprofits apply for – and if successful – pay for entries in these popular events that they can pass along to supporters. Supporters – ranging from inspired newcomers to veteran runners — commit to raising thousands of dollars through peer-to-peer fundraising for the opportunity to participate.
For each of the marathon organizations, 2024’s historic philanthropic achievements have been years in the making.
New York’s charity program has raised nearly $600 million for more than 1,000 charities since it was started in 2006, according to Carole Harsch, a spokesperson for New York Road Runners, the marathon’s organizer. More than 14,000 runners ran for charity in 2024, said Harsch.
The Bank of America Boston Marathon Charity Program total combines funds raised by supporters of the event’s 168 official non-profit organizations in the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program – $45.7 million – with other donations and fundraising from race participants.
That second factor explains why Boston had a meteoric increase in funds raised compared to 2023 when the total was $40.2 million.
One first time runner – Bob Hale, the founder and president of Granite Communications — and his wife contributed $26.2 million to 72 local charities in 2024.
“The Boston Marathon is part of the cultural fabric of our great city, and I was humbled to run it this year, and inspired by the focus on giving back.,” said Hale, a Massachusetts native. “Recognizing the immense impact the fabled marathon has had on our proud city, these gifts are going to wonderful organizations throughout our region that support our community. Together we make Boston Strong.”
Approximately 10% of all Boston marathon runners are part of the charity program, according to Nicole Juri, director of development for its organizer, the Boston Athletic Association. On April 21 Boston expects to host 2,900 runners supporting 176 official charities at this year’s marathon.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program launched in 2002 with 14 charities and 1,674 runners. Since then, the program has grown to 217 charities with more than 17,000 runners expected to run for charity in 2025. Since its inception, the program has raised $358 million for causes.
In 2024, a record 16,000 participants raised $36 million for 206 local, national and global nonprofits, the highest fundraising total in event history, according to Alex Sawyer, Senior Director of Communications for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
All of the marathon spokespeople interviewed cited different ways in which organizers continue to evolve their charity programs.
Chicago’s Sawyer said their organization’s most significant change for 2025 is an “increase of fundraising minimums for most participants from $1,750 to $2,100. Interest in participating in the program remains strong, so we anticipate this will result in increased fundraising impact.”
In 2024 New York’s marathon reduced the minimum number of entries a charity can purchase from five to three which, Harsch explained, explained enables organizers “to consider more charities for the program without them having to make too significant of a financial commitment as a first-year charity.”
However these initiatives change, their charity programs will continue to enable runners, as Harsch put it to add meaning to their miles and charities to benefit from an important fundraising source.