Ryan Carlson accepts the Carol J. Mindrup Award for outstanding volunteer service to the TBK Bank QC Marathon from founding race director Joe Moreno (left) and board member Tamia Keppy (right). CREDIT HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS
The TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon (QCM) celebrated more than a 25th anniversary in 2022. The local running event also commemorated a banner year recently during a pair of season-ending parties. Tops among the highlights was the more than $9,000 awarded to eight local nonprofits Thanksgiving week at a check presentation ceremony hosted by Davenport’s […]
The TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon (QCM) celebrated more than a 25th anniversary in 2022. The local running event also commemorated a banner year recently during a pair of season-ending parties.Tops among the highlights was the more than $9,000 awarded to eight local nonprofits Thanksgiving week at a check presentation ceremony hosted by Davenport’s Necker’s Jewelers.“This was a great year for us in terms of reaching out and engaging with our QC community,” said Joe Moreno, the QCM’s founding race director.Davenport's Fleet Feet Store picked up the Corporate Challenge trophy for businesses with 75 or fewer employees at the annual charity check presentation hosted by Necker's Jewelers in Davenport. Founding race director Joe Moreno (right) shares a laugh with Jackie Young, a member of the store's running team and wife of Fleet Feet owner and operator Phil Young. CREDIT HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS“We have so many facets within our organization for individuals, organizations, and fundraising efforts to excel. Another great example is the $15,000-plus that was raised for our ‘Shoes for Kids’ program at the Crawford Brewing Company’s ‘Guest Bartender’ event.“That money will outfit hundreds of QC kids with a pair of brand-new running shoes. As you can see, besides our support for the Prostate Cancer-Zero Cancer cause, we are always expanding our philanthropic mindset.”Eight fundraising runners participating in the QCM’s Charity Bib Program accounted for most of the total going to five of the charities.Charity runner Adam Peters netted the highest total -- $4,593.23 for Clock, Inc., the LGBT+ community center in Rock Island. The total included a $2,000 match donated directly by Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms.Kristina Hearn, who heads up the Charity Bib program, said the Quad Cities Prostate Cancer Initiative – one of the QCM’s two main charities – received a $1,392.27 donation. Of that total, approximately $450 was from Charity Bib runner Andre Holsomback, who worked to raise extra money for the cause. Each year, QCM registrants are encouraged to donate to the cancer initiative through their race registration.
The other charity totals and runners donating to their cause were:
$2,357.19 to the Birdies for Charity general fund (jointly by Bradley Muller and Drew Booth.
$618.07 to King’s Harvest (Lisa Forgie and Melissa Siech).
$446.80 to QC Canine Assistance Network (Traci Ellsworth).
$361.17 to Project Renewal (Gretchen Schroer).
Three other charities participating in the program also received checks despite not having a Charity Bib runner this year. Those local nonprofits are Gigi's Playhouse ($81.87), YouthHope ($25) and Livefit with Lupus ($25).Runners wishing to fundraise for a charity in the future can email [email protected], call the QC Marathon office (309-751-9800), or make contact on Facebook (QCMARATHON). Race registration annually kicks off in May.Ms. Hearn said all of the QCM participants are encouraged to donate to the Prostate Cancer Initiative through the race registration process. Behind-the-scenes volunteers also were recognized for their work on behalf of the 25th Annual QC Marathon at an October post-race party at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel in Rock Island.
The major annual award winners this time were:
Carol J. Mindrup Award: Ryan Carlson.
Rookie of the Year: Larry Randazzo.
2023 MVP: Carol Leingang-Harris.
Volunteer of the Year: Robin Gaines.
The 26th version of the QC Marathon is scheduled for Sept. 23-24, 2023.Besides the full 26.2-mile marathon, the event also offers a 13.1-mile half-marathon; a five-person marathon relay; a 5K; a Pump ‘N Run challenge; a 1-mile run/walk for cause; and a kids’ micro-marathon.The three longest races run along the Mississippi River through the downtowns of four of the five metro Quad Cities as well as Arsenal Island – crossing three bridges to visit both states. The John Deere Commons outside Vibrant Arena at The Mark serves as the start/finish line and site of the post-race parties for participants. Nearly 3,800 participated in 2022.
