The Gorham Savings Bank Maine Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay exceeded expectations by raising a record-breaking $506,000. The unexpected additional revenue allowed race organizers to brighten the holiday season for Educate Maine with a gift of $15,000.

“Once again, thanks to the generosity of our running community, event revenue came in higher than projected,” said Bob Dunfey, volunteer race director. “Despite most road race registrations being down at least 15% across the country, the GSB Maine Marathon experienced close to record numbers which explains most of our increased revenue.”

“We are grateful to be recognized by Gorham Savings Bank Maine Marathon with this gift from the 2022 race,” said Dr. Jason Judd, executive director of Educate Maine. “This donation will enable us to expand our programming to support Maine educators and provide additional experiential learning opportunities for Maine students.”

Educate Maine champions career readiness by increasing the educational attainment of Maine people, enabling all students to succeed. They work to:

• Engage in outreach and advocacy to advance education policies and practices that prepare Maine students for postsecondary learning and the workforce.
• Report and analyze data, the foundation of sound policies.
• Convene education, business, and policy leaders to come up with innovative solutions to Maine’s education and workforce challenges.
• Manage programs that help them achieve their mission and realize their vision for Maine.

The all-volunteer GSB Maine Marathon donates all proceeds after expenses, which is about 40% of revenues, to Maine-based charitable organizations, and in 2022 selected Stop Trafficking US, Through These Doors, Wayfinder Schools™, and World of Change as race beneficiaries.

“We are pleased to support so many wonderful nonprofit organizations with so much promise and potential.” said Steve deCastro, president and CEO of Gorham Savings Bank. “The GSB Maine Marathon is a great example of being a Force for Good.”

Since its inception in 1997, the Gorham Savings Bank Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay and its participants have raised more than $6.3 million for local nonprofits. This year the event donated $23,000 more to Maine non-profits than in 2021. The total economic impact on the local economy from the marathon weekend is more than $1.3 million.

Maine-based nonprofits interested in being considered as a beneficiary for 2023 can apply online now through January 1 at https://mainemarathon.com/get-involved/beneficiary-application/.