Frequently Asked Questions

For Runners:

What is the President’s Marathon Challenge?
How much money do I raise, and where does it go?
I’ve never run a marathon. Can I still join the team?
I don't live near Boston. Can I still participate? Will there be group runs in my area?
What are training sessions like? When do they begin, and where do they take place?
Is a large portion of the training to be completed individually or will the bulk of the training happen as a team?
Is there a full-time staff?
If I live outside of the Boston area is there still a way that I can benefit from the training advice given by your experts?
I’m ready to join. How do I sign up to run?

For Volunteers:

Are there volunteer opportunities? How do I sign up?

For Donors:

How do I make a gift?
I want to support the President's Marathon Challenge, but I don't know any runners. How can I make a general gift to support the program and team as a whole?
What is the difference between a gift and a pledge?
My company will match my gift. What do I do?
Who do I contact if I have a question about my gift or pledge?

For Runners:

What is the President’s Marathon Challenge (PMC)?

The PMC is a team of 200 Tufts students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, and friends from around the country, who train to run in the annual Boston Marathon, while raising funds to support nutrition, medical, and fitness programs at Tufts. Since its inception in 2003, the team has raised more than $2.3 million. PMC is the largest known collegiate program in the United States.

The Boston Athletic Association provides Tufts with 200 numbers for the race. There is a qualifying run for commitment, not ability, and final decisions for number assignments are made by the coaching staff.

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How much money do I raise, and where does it go?

As part of the challenge, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, and friends of Tufts are required to raise $2,500 and students are required to raise $1,000. During the 2009 marathon season, the team raised more than $428,000 for the Personalized Performance Program- a health and fitness program for Tufts students, faculty, and staff- and for The Friedman School of Nutrition Professor Christine Economos’ efforts to curb adolescent obesity.

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I’ve never run a marathon. Can I still join the team?

Absolutely! No previous running experience is required. Our runners have a variety of backgrounds and athletic ability - some have run marathons before and others have never run a mile. Please see Resources for Runners for additional information on how to train within your level.

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I don't live near Boston. Can I still participate? Will there be group runs in my area?

Of course you can participate! PMC attracts runners from around the country. Each participant will receive a copy of the official marathon training program. We will post training schedules and articles on nutrition and injury prevention in Resources for Runners. Runners can also stay connected through detailed emails, pictures, and phone calls from the coach about the team’s training sessions.

If you want to organize a run in your area and there are other team members nearby, then, by all means, yes! We will be looking for "captains" in certain areas who would be willing to set a time and a meeting place and send an email announcement to other President's Marathon Challenge participants in the area. If you would like to be a captain for your neck of the woods, send us and email.

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What are training sessions like? When do they begin, and where do they take place?

Official training starts with short runs (less than half-a-mile), and continues through a 23-week program until the marathon on Patriot’s Day in April. However, there are unofficial training runs year-round. Runners must participate in a “qualifying” run (for commitment, not ability) in early December. The 200 numbers are assigned at the end of January.

TRAINING SCHEDULE: Sept 2009 - Apr 2010
Water and nourishment provided during and after training runs!
Check the Tufts campus map for location of training sites noted below.

• Outdoor Training Runs:
  Distance varies between 4 - 14 miles depending on your fitness level.

Dates: Every Wednesday and Sunday beginning on Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Time: 7:00 a.m on Wednesdays; 8:00 a.m. on Sundays
Site: Meet in front of Cousens Gymnasium, 161 College Ave, Tufts University - Medford Campus

• Outdoor Interval Training:

Dates: Every Thursday from September 17 through October 29, 2009
Time: 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Site: Outdoor Track, Ellis Oval, Lower Campus Road off of College Ave, Tufts University - Medford Campus

• Indoor Interval Training:

Dates: Every Tuesday and Thursday beginning on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - April 10, 2010
Times: 8:30 a.m and 9 a.m (both times offer the same workout; you can attend either one)
Site: Indoor Track, Gantcher Center, 161 College Ave., Tufts University - Medford Campus

• Ten Mile Qualifying Run:
  Registration materials will be distributed after the run.

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009
Time: 9 a.m start
Site: Meet inside Gantcher Center, 161 College Ave., Tufts University - Medford Campus

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Is a large portion of the training to be completed individually or will the bulk of the training happen as a team?

Most of the training will be completed individually. We will typically hold two organized runs per week; one during the week and a second longer training run on the weekends. The remaining 2-4 days of training per week will be on your own. Even on days when there isn't an official group run, you will likely find other participants of similar abilities and schedules with whom you can train. Through the years we have found that a number of smaller sub-groups have formed to take advantage of the benefits of training with others.

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Is there a full-time staff?

A professional staff, including Coach Donald Megerle, who has been involved with the program for four years, and two physical therapists are onsite to support the team during training sessions and the actual race. Megerle, who was the 2007 recipient of the Tufts Athletics’ Distinguished Achievement Awards and has coached at Tufts for 37 years, dedicates endless hours to the team and each individual runner. Runners can attend lectures provided by the coaching staff on nutrition and training, as well as lectures offered by John Hancock, the primary sponsor of the race.

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If I live outside of the Boston area is there still a way that I can benefit from the training advice given by your experts?

Absolutely! We will make the most of technology to keep everyone informed, motivated, and healthy through timely emails from Coach Megerle. Each participant will receive a copy of the official marathon training program. We will also post training schedules and articles on nutrition, injury prevention, and personal motivation in Resources for Runners. If you have any questions about training or nutrition, please contact us and we will do our best to respond. Remember, none of our experts should take the place of your family doctor. If you have questions regarding your health or an injury, you should contact your family physician. Your doctor should be an important member of your team!

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I’m ready to join! How do I sign up to run?

Sign up on the PMC website. When registration is open, you'll see a "Sign up to Run" link on the left hand side of the homepage. Otherwise contact Don Megerle at marathonchallenge@tufts.edu or 617.627.4755.

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For Volunteers:

Are there volunteer opportunities? How do I sign up?

Yes. Tufts volunteer staff is assigned to at least three watering stations throughout the course. Volunteers can register though the Boston Athletic Association website. Volunteer slots are limited and are filled on a first come, first served basis. Parents and friends of PMC runners have the opportunity of being bussed to mile nine, where they can cheer on the runners from Tufts trustee Dr. David McGrath’s Natick Animal Hospital.

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For Donors:

How do I make a gift?

Giving is easy! There are two ways to make a gift:
• Online: Either click on the "Sponsor this Runner" button found on each runner's page or go to the Sponsor a Runner page to begin the process. Each runner has a sponsor page where you can read the runner’s blog and leave a personal message.
• Mailing a check: Please make the check payable to "Trustees of Tufts College" and mail to:

Tufts University
President’s Marathon Challenge
PO Box 3306
Boston, MA 02241-3306
Enter the runner's name in the memo line of your check.

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I want to support the President's Marathon Challenge, but I don't know any runners. How can I make a general gift to support the program and team as a whole?

You can make a gift to support the President's Marathon Challenge via the secure Tufts online giving form. In step 2, just scroll down to gift designation 3 and enter "President's Marathon Challenge" and your gift amount. Thank you for your support!

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What is the difference between a gift and a pledge?

If you choose to make a gift your credit card will be charged immediately for the amount you indicate. If you make a pledge, your credit card is not charged at that time; instead, you are committing to paying the amount you indicate either through a number of payments over time or in full at some later date. To fulfill your pledge, you can make your pledge payment(s) in one of two ways:

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My company will match my gift. What do I do?

Contact your Human Resources Department for a matching gift form. Once the form is completed, mail a copy to
Tufts University, ATTN: Matching Gifts Program
80 George Street,
Medford, MA 02155.
You may need Tufts University's tax ID# number to complete the form. It is E042103634.

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Who do I contact if I have a question about my gift or pledge?

Send an email to support@tuftsmarathonchallenge.com.

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