Inaugural Back Your Badge Marathon Kicks off in September
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The Town of Plainfield will host the inaugural Back Your Badge Marathon on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The Town has
partnered with RaceMaker Productions to establish the course as a certified USA Track & Field course. The course will take participants along significant roadways, the Plainfield trail system, critical landmarks and public safety agencies within the town. There is a run/walk option for everyone. There will be full-marathon, half-marathon and 5K options.
Ultimately, the goal is to identify an agency to support. We all have a friend or family member who is a police officer or firefighter, or maybe your favorite neighbor is a 911 dispatcher. In some way, we are all connected to one of these badges. Now it’s time to choose a side and Back Your Badge. Each mile you run or walk will be added to the agency’s running total. The agency with the most miles will earn bragging rights and a traveling trophy.
Police, fire and communications agencies, both locally and nationally, have made huge commitments to the health and wellness of their personnel. The Town of Plainfield has committed to a healthy lifestyle, and this event will showcase that for the residents and visitors of the town.
“Hosting a marathon within the Town of Plainfield has been a personal dream of mine for years,” says Greg Williams, deputy chief of the Plainfield Fire Territory. “I’m learning it is no easy task, but we are fully committed to make this a great event that is beneficial for both a healthy lifestyle and for support of our first responders.”
A marathon is a true community event as it showcases not only the area, but also the people from local businesses and groups working aid stations and lining the streets to cheer on runners.
The goal is to shine a light on our heroes while bringing our community together to support some local programs. A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the Plainfield Youth Assistance Program (PYAP). PYAP specifically addresses the developmental needs of local youth, engages family support, minimizes complex situations, and maximizes the potential for healthy development and stabilization. Additional funds will be used to develop a paramedic scholarship program. There is a statewide shortage of paramedics and this fundraiser will help make it a little easier for someone to get into the field.
Race coordinators are still actively seeking sponsorships and volunteer groups to provide course entertainment or work aid stations.
Hendricks Regional Health and the Hendricks Behavioral Hospital have partnered with the Back Your Badge Marathon to be presenting sponsors.
We look forward to running alongside you this September!
For more info, visit backyourbadge.org.
