1600 Mile Miracle Marathon

10 to run 1600+ mile Miracle Marathon from Florida to Maine
to bring miles of smiles to Camp Sunshine’s children.

Casco, Maine ( , 2001) - Camp Sunshine, a retreat for critically ill children and their families located in Casco, Maine, is pleased to announce its first ever run from Florida to Maine. The 1600+ mile Miracle Marathon will kick off the grand opening of Camp Sunshine’s new campus and the celebration of bringing smiles to children and their families for 16 years.

On June 5, 2001, ten runners will begin the trek to Camp Sunshine in West Palm Beach, Florida, at St. Mary’s Hospital. From there, the "Miracle Runners" will average approximately100-150 miles per day for approximately 13 days. The runners will traverse through Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, the nation’s capitol, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and will end with an ultra marathon distance of 30 miles into Camp Sunshine on June 17, 2001 - the first day of its Opening Ceremony. The ultra marathon will begin at [Hadlock Field], Portland, Maine.

Televised and published news releases, radio remotes, and possible talk-show appearances will help promote the run and allow the nation to keep pace with the runners’ progress throughout their journey. The nation will also be able to log onto the event’s website at www.miraclemarathon.org and view event highlights, which will be updated daily. A documentary of the event, from its planning stages to its end in Maine, is also planned, and will be available for release after the run’s completion.

Since its inception in 1984, Camp Sunshine has provided a no-cost respite to 3,121 families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Families with a child diagnosed with diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, lupus, diabetes, solid organ transplant and other life threatening diseases attend one of our weeklong camps. Camp Sunshine’s focus is on alleviating the strain a critical illness places not only on the sick child but also on other family members. Families have an opportunity to rebuild their relationships together and meet other families facing similar challenges.

The Miracle Marathon is an opportunity for Camp Sunshine to show the world that when it comes to a child’s happiness no distance is too far. The goal for the Miracle Marathon is to raise $150,000. All proceeds will be used to provide a weeklong respite at Camp Sunshine for 100 critically ill children and their families during the 2001 sessions. Both corporations and individuals are welcome to participate in this event via donations of products, services, and/or funds. Those only able to lend a hand are equally welcome.

For more information about Camp Sunshine and its Miracle Marathon, please call Matt Hoidal at (603) 398-7184, or Donna Leith at Camp Sunshine at (207) 655-3800. Or visit our websites at www.campsunshine.org and www.miraclemarathon.org. Donations may be mailed to: Attn: Miracle Marathon, Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015.

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