The t-shirt for runners participating in events for the 25th Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – It’s the end of an era in Green Bay. This weekend marks the 25th and final Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. The event has attracted runners from across the country and around the world, while also benefiting non-profits in the community.
The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon has run its course. Cellcom, the title sponsor of the event announcing the 2024 marathon weekend would be its last. A bittersweet decision after running such a successful event since 2000.
“The marathon set out to kind of create this event that showcased the community spirit of the Greater Green Bay area, bring in some health and wellness. It ended up having a really nice economic boost with how many people traveled to the area and it gave back to charity, which was a huge part,” said Tammy VanDenBusch, Communications Manager with Nsight, the parent company of Cellcom.
The more than 4,000 runners taking part in the events this weekend will only add to that legacy.
According to VanDenBusch, “We’ve given back $1.7 million to local charities over the last 24 years. Obviously we have this weekend coming up and we plan to give back after this year’s event as well.”
Included in the runners are 21 people who have run every marathon or half marathon since its inception.
Jill Walsh and Terry Charles are two of those runners. They are considered “Cellcom Legends” by race officials.
“There are far more decorated runners than I am as far as speed and how many marathons or how many races but to stick with something for 25 years and carve out that weekend it is pretty cool and we’re far and few between so if there’s anything I can hang my hat on in my lifetime, I can say I did every single Cellcom marathon,” said Terry Charles.
Jill Walsh was only 20 when she ran her first Cellcom. She added, “It’s pretty neat. It’s something I’m really proud of, honestly, because it took me to do it. It wasn’t part of a team. It’s been a really cool interesting experience to look back at all of them and how it changed over the years.”
As Walsh and Charles prepare for their last Cellcom, they’re cherishing the miles and memories made, recognizing how special their accomplishments and the event have been.
According to Charles, “It was mixed feelings that this will probably be my last half marathon, but also mixed feelings that it’s going to be my last half marathon.”
And Walsh said, “It’s done a lot of good things for the community. Having been able to do it with a lot of friends. Michelle Melby ran my first marathon with me, she was part of it. And just seeing people come to running and be a part of this community event has been really cool.”
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