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Online Auction to Benefit Family of Wesly Ngetich, past Grandma's Marathon champion
(Duluth, Minn.) Although registration for the 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is officially closed, Grandma’s Marathon is creating an opportunity for more runners to enter the June 21 race and support a great cause in the process.
Beginning Monday, March 31, Grandma’s Marathon is conducting an online auction as a fundraising effort for the family of past race champion Wesly Ngetich who was killed in Kenya earlier this year. Three different auction packages, which all include Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon entries, will be available at GrandmasMarathon.com . Bids will be taken from 9 a.m. on March 31 to 9 a.m. on April 7.
“Wesly was a great champion for our event, so assisting his family is the very least we can do. Our donations can’t bring him back, but hopefully they can bring some financial relief to his family members as they struggle through this difficult time,” said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma’s Marathon.
Ngetich died Jan. 21 after being shot with an arrow while reportedly attempting to mediate conflict between two disputing tribes near his home Trans Mara, Kenya. He was 30 years old. The 2005 and 2007 men’s champion of Grandma’s Marathon, Ngetich was expected to return to Duluth in June to defend his title in an attempt to become the first ever three-time men’s winner of the event.
This is the second fundraising effort Grandma’s Marathon has conducted to assist Ngetich’s family. Earlier this month, the non-profit organization raised $6,000 by opening an additional 100 spots in the 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon to those runners not selected through the lottery. A record number of 9,200 half marathon hopefuls registered for the 2008 lottery and its 4,500 available spots.
Grandma’s Marathon Online Auction – March 31 to April 7.
*Two-year guaranteed entry into the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
Secure yourself an entry into the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon for the 2008 and 2009 races (June 21, 2008 and June 20, 2009).
*Two (2) 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Entries
The winning bidder will receive two (2) entries into the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on June 21, 2008.
*Two-Year Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Entry/Lodging Package
The winning bidder will receive a guaranteed entry into the 2008 and 2009 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (June 21, 2008 and June 20, 2009) and lodging at the Edgewater Resort and Waterpark for both the 2008 and 2009 Grandma's Marathon weekends. Lodging in 2008 is for Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21; in 2009 the lodging is for Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20.
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