2015 Seattle Marathon Ambassador Challenge

This year the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon turns 45! And while it’s true: We Make 45 Look Good, we also know that it’s you – our loyal running community – that make us look good! That’s why we’re launching the Seattle Marathon Ambassador Challenge.

We’re looking for six friendly and outgoing individuals of varying ages, levels and ability to represent the event in their local and surrounding areas to increase registration, brand awareness and excitement within the community.

What Ambassadors will do:

• Be happy and fun!
• Train and race in Seattle Marathon gear
• Participate in the 2015 Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon full or half run or walk.
• Attend events and distribute collateral in their hometown (at running stores, local races, etc.)
• Spread the word about the Seattle Marathon Family of Events (through local running clubs, social media, blogging, etc) and answering questions.
• Post pictures and short blurbs about your training (in SM gear) to your personal social media page as well as SM's twice a month.
• Participate in monthly #RunSeattleChat Twitter sessions
• Volunteer for at least 2 local events in your area (be sure to wear your SM swag and take photos). One event can be packet pickup for us in November if you are available.

What Ambassadors Get:

• Seattle Marathon Ambassador Starter’s Kit, including Official Seattle Marathon Association Gear 
• Free entry to 2016 Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon
• Featured / guest blog post
• Ambassador profile hosted on Seattle Marathon Website
• Seattle Marathon Family of Event discount codes for friends 
• 50% off entry to 2015 Seattle Marathon 10k Race
• Discount on SMA Merchandise throughout the year 
• Access to other promotional items as they become available through our amazing sponsors.

To qualify as a 2015 Seattle Marathon Ambassador you must:

• Register for the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon by May 31, 2015
• In 400 words or less explain why you would be the best Seattle Marathon Ambassador. This can be an email or blog post
• Send your write-up or link to blog post to info@seattlemarathon.org, along with your name, age, and city

Submissions will be reviewed June 1st and selected ambassadors will be announced Wednesday, June 3rd.

In addition to the above perks and expectations, Ambassadors will have first notice of additional opportunities. These can include pre-race interviews and news stories, merchandise giveaways, Pace Team invitations, sponsor product giveaways and inclusion in special Race Weekend events.

All Ambassadors will be featured on Seattle Marathon Association website. Chosen applicants will have a profile, photo, and opportunity to connect with other runners through social media, meet-up runs, and more! You will have the opportunity to lead and guide new and inexperienced runners through their training process, motivate and inspire our runners, and share your story!

Please note that Ambassadors are NOT financially compensated in any way. We do not subsidize travel or training expenses or issue payment of any kind to our team. The Ambassadors serve for one calendar year, from June to December, though Ambassadors are encouraged to reapply each spring if they wish to continue on future years. The Seattle Marathon Association reserves the right to remove any Ambassador from the team at any time due to poor conduct or failure to perform duties.

Hometown Pride: the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon

The Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon, Seattle’s hometown marathon has become a Thanksgiving weekend tradition for runners and walkers in the Pacific Northwest.

The race began in 1970 when 38 friends from the University of Washington decided to hold their own 26.2-mile running event. Fast forward 43 years and it has grown to a 3-day weekend event that includes a full marathon run and walk, half marathon run and walk, 5K race and kids marathon. Add to that a 2-day Health & Fitness Expo and summer 10K Race, which combined sees more than 13,000 participants annually.

Even with so many fans, mention the Seattle Marathon to folks across the nation who are unfamiliar with the race and you’ll inevitably be met with the questions “Why November? Isn’t it always rainy in Seattle then?” followed by “Isn’t it hilly?”

The answer to both, of course, is a qualified yes. It is often wet and there are hills on the course. So what is it that keeps runners coming back for more?

The Fall Date – Ask any runner what their race calendar looks like and, more often than not, plans get pretty slim after September. Always held the Sunday following Thanksgiving, the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon fits nicely in the calendar after a summer packed with races and provides the perfect motivation to keep moving during those cold and dark months of the year. It also goes without saying that having a 13.1 or 26.2-mile race around the corner allows you to pile on second helpings at Thanksgiving dinner guilt-free.

The Rain – Though the number of rainy days in Seattle may be higher than the average American city, the amount of rain that comes down is hardly worth noting (more like extended drizzles really). Compare this to the frigid temperatures or harsh conditions found elsewhere in the country during late November and you’re looking at fairly ideal running conditions.

The Course – You’ve got to hand it to Race Director Louise Long, for charting out 26.2 miles of race course with minimal hills and spectacular scenery to boot. We’ll put it this way; combine a floating bridge, dozens of Olmstead Brothers-inspired parks, Lake Washington, the Arboretum, and the Space Needle and it’s easy to see that this course is jam packed with some of the best sights Seattle has to offer.

The Organization – After 43 years, the race organizers of the non-profit Seattle Marathon Association have got things down to a science. The details are covered from each individual volunteer and medical team member to every cone and honey bucket on the course, all while staying true to the Seattle, hometown culture.

When it’s all said and done, our goal is to create a memorable race experience that is fun for the entire family. We hope you’ll join us for the 2014 Seattle Marathon Family of Events.

In the meantime, be a part of our community. Visit us online, or through your favorite social media platform. We love our runners and we're here for you!

• For more information and to register, visit www.seattlemarathon.org
• Facebook.com/SeattleMarathon
• Twitter.com/Seattlemarathon
• Plus.google.com/+SeattleMarathon
• Pinterest.com/seattlemarathon
• Instagram.com/seattlemarathon