"This year, as a result of our volunteers' managing the limited financial resources we have to support the annual Rhody Run, and the people who registered for this year's event, we have the ability to share our surplus funds with a broad range of community youth-support programs," Little explained.

"The Rhody Run is organized and produced by the Port Townsend Marathon Association, a charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to foster and encourage runners of all ages both in the school system and the community at large," Little said.

Groups and institutions receiving funds from the marathon association this year include:

• City of Port Townsend Municipal Pool swim lesson scholarships ($500)

• Chimacum High School golf team ($250)

• Jefferson County Parks & Recreation ($500)

• Port Townsend Cooperative Playschool ($250)

• Jefferson County Family YMCA ($500)

• Port Townsend/Chimacum cooperative high school Cross County team ($500)

• Port Townsend High School golf team ($250)

• • Northwest Kiwanis Camp ($500)

• Washington State University Extension (Jefferson County) 4-H ($500)

• Port Townsend Bicycle Association bicycle safety program ($500)

• Boy Scout Troop 1477 camperships ($250)

• Inaugural Kids Triathlon ($500)

"We invite all community youth activity groups and schools to submit requests for support. We're launching what we hope will be an on-going funding mechanism to share money raised by the annual race with deserving organizations. A more formal request process will be in place for the Rhody Run XXXIV season," Little advised.

In addition to the grants, the association also raised $779 for the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival via voluntary contributions by race registrants, another "first" for the association whose Rhody Run is an adjunct event of the festival.

"Our all-volunteer board continues to serve in the spirit of its mission, along with more than 300 other volunteers who deliver race day labor and services to the Rhody Run participants. The board members contribute their efforts year round in planning for the annual event. As with other community service groups that rely on contributed time and effort, the PTMA board members are neighbors in place right here in Jefferson County," Little notes.

Current PTMA board members include Anita Schmucker, Jill Buhler, Dick and Janet Giger, Mary Weeding, Char Wedlin, Todd Jensen, Dan Huntingford, Michelle West, Tanya Rublaitus, Kim Hammers, Jennifer Little, Eric Johnson, Gary Fell, Doug Pierce, Steve Taylor, John Nowak and Frank Garred

"Anyone interested in joining the corps of Rhody Run volunteers — on the board or as day-of-race support staff — is invited to contact me at 774-1014 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ," Ltttle related.