Antarctica Marathon™ Raises Funds to Benefit the Antarctic Environemnt

CHELSEA, Mass. - April 1, 2015 - PRLog -- More than $37,600 was raised to benefit the Antarctic environment during the 2015 Antarctica Marathon expedition, announced Marathon Tours & Travel, the event organizer who spearheaded the fundraising campaign. The 16^th Antarctica Marathon & Half Marathon presented by Vibram® and New Balance was held on March 9-10, 2015 on King George Island in Antarctica.

The funds were distributed to Oceanites, Inc., the official charity of the Antarctica Marathon’s since 2011. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Oceanites is a non-profit organization that researches the impact of tourism on Antarctica’s pristine environment.

Funds were raised via pre-race mile marker sponsorships, a post-race auction of marathon and trip memorabilia and direct donations. Auction items purchased included a variety of race signage including turnaround markers, the finish line sign and finish banner. Other auction items included the ship’s chart and authentic iceberg water donated by One Ocean Expeditions of Vancouver. Vibram, the event’s presenting sponsor and renowned world leader in high-performance rubber soles, contributing $5,000 to the cause.

Antarctica Marathon participants and sponsors have raised more than $187,600 for Oceanites during the past five years.

“This is an opportunity for Antarctica Marathon runners to make an important contribution in the preservation of the most unspoiled place on the planet long after they cross the finish line,” said Thom Gilligan, president of Boston-based Marathon Tours & Travel and expedition leader. “We work very hard to have zero impact on the environment during the race and throughout the two-week expedition. I doubt if a “greener” marathon exists.”

“I am overwhelmed and totally gratified by the donation,” said Ron Naveen, founder and president of Oceanites. “The runners, Thom Gilligan, his team and Vibram are truly helping to keep our work alive and marching forward. I can’t thank them enough.”

The sold-out field of 188 participants hailing from 20 countries prevailed over the brutally hilly 26.2- and 13.1-mile courses that transverse the rudimentary gravel roads and connect the research bases of Uruguay, Chile, China and Russia on King George Island. Eighteen research base personnel from Chile, Russia and China also joined in on the competition. The races are held over two consecutive days to abide by an Antarctic environmental restriction of allowing a maximum 100 visitors on shore in any single landing area.

The Antarctica Marathon & Half Marathon has sold out 12 of its last 16 editions, usually years in advance, and is presently sold out through 2017. The 17^th Antarctica Marathon is scheduled for March 12-13, 2016.

For more information on the Antarctica Marathon contact Marathon Tours & Travel at (617) 242-7845 or visit www.marathontours.com. For more information on Oceanites, Inc., please visit www.oceanites.org.

# # #

About Marathon Tours & Travel
The leading marathon tour operator in North America, Marathon Tours & Travel offers comprehensive travel packages to 42 marathons and half-marathons on all seven continents, including the Antarctica Marathon, Great Wall Marathon and the Amazing Maasai Marathon in Kenya. For more information, please visit www.marathontours.com.