A study conducted by USA Track & Field, the national governing body of long-distance running, showed that runners raised $656 million for charitable causes in 2005, with 83% of races nationwide raising money for charitable causes. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is one of the largest fundraising programs in the country associated with marathons. Volunteer team members receive professional coaching, event fees, and transportation costs in return for raising funds. Since 1988, 300,000 volunteer participants have raised more than $700 million for the society.
| Marathon | Funds Raised |
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| 1. Nike Women's Marathon (Calif.)* | $16 million |
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| 2. Rock 'n' Roll Marathon San Diego* | $12.5 million |
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| 3. Walt Disney World Marathon (Florida)* | $5.5 million |
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| 4. Rock 'n' Roll Arizona* | $5 million |
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| 5. Mayor's Marathon (Alaska) | $4.2 million |
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| 6. Chicago Marathon* | $2.5 million |
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| 7. Marine Corps Marathon (D.C.) | $2.1 million |
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| 8. Country Music Marathon (Tenn.)* | $2 million |
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| 9. Honolulu Marathon | $1.9 million |
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| 10. Vancouver Marathon | $1.4 million |
*–Asterisk indicates a marathon that is owned by a for-profit concern. Source: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |