YORK COUNTY — Bob Dunfey, the volunteer race director for The Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, announced that the Eastern Trail Alliance will be one of the five primary beneficiaries of this year’s event on Sunday, Oct. 6.

The Eastern Trail Alliance will receive a $20,000 donation from the event.

“The Eastern Trail Alliance is honored to have been selected for a $20,000 gift this year. Thank you Maine Marathon for showing avid trail users, cyclists and supporters that you support the importance of preserving and maintaining greenways like the Eastern Trail for the benefit of all,” said Nancy Borg, Eastern Trail executive director.

The Eastern Trail is both a trail and a vision. The trail today is 22 mostly off-road miles from Bug Light in South Portland to Kennebunk. A scenic on-road route then follows quiet country roads to Kittery.

When complete, the 65-mile trail will be a seamless off-road connection for commuting and recreation from Casco Bay to the Piscataqua River.

As part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway, the nation’s longest connected biking and walking route, the Eastern Trail represents a commitment to public health, environmental sustainability, economic development, and civic engagement. Together, it connects people to nature and communities via a safe, accessible trail.

The Maine Marathon organized by the Maine Track Club is a volunteer driven, nonprofit event with proceeds going to local Maine charities.

Since 1997, it has donated over $4.1 million to charity. Over 50 volunteer race coordinators plan the event during the year and over 800 volunteers deliver the event on race weekend.

For more information, contact Jen Steele Skillings, event coordinator, jen@easterntrail.org, 284-9260; or Bob Dunfey, volunteer race director, mainemarathon@gmail.com, 475-5656.

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