The Quad Cities Marathon hosts a race in September and has hosted it for 17 years. This year’s race is on Sunday, September 30th, and includes the Happy Joe’s Kids Micro-Marathon for children. The marathon will begin at 8 am, and for the first 5K, participants are only required to raise $25 to enter the race, regardless of age. After the first runner completes the first 5K, the next runner will start with a staggered start.
Age Groups
Participants are split into divisions by age. The top three finishers in each division will receive awards, including only a participation ribbon and medal. There are different colors of Happy Joe’s ribbons and medals for each age group.
Awards
After the first five children, there will be awards for overall, male, female, and a team award. Races at Happy Joe´s in the past have been one loop and two loops so that the race could go on as long as 12 hours.
This year’s marathon is a 10-K course expected to finish around the same time. Local businesses will have booths around the course selling food and drinks. And Happy Joe´s will be sponsoring more of these events since they have been of huge success.
Purpose
The Happy Joe’s Kids Micro-Marathon aims to support the American Cancer Society in its fight against cancer. The marathon has raised over $300,000 since its inception in 2001. Last year alone, they raised $10,000 (2015). The money will go to nurses who provide bedside care for cancer patients. At Happy Joe´s, they will be able to provide transportation for the patient and the support staff to ensure that the patient receives excellent care.
