JA's Biggest Fans Run Virtual Marathon in Support of JA Worldwide

September 7–12, 2020

Last winter, JA received the exciting news that we had received two charity entries in the 2020 Boston Marathon, representing a significant fundraising opportunity. William (Bill) Schawbel, founder and CEO of Schawbel Companies, Wharton graduate, JA alumnus, JA volunteer, chair of our 2019 Centennial Gala, and all-around supporter of JA, had decided to run the marathon in celebration of his 80th birthday and worked with us to secure the two entries, which are managed by John Hancock. The other entry was assigned to Leo Martellotto, President of JA Americas, avid triathlete, and JA alumnus. We devised a fundraising campaign, Bill agreed to match donations, and we looked forward to the April race.

Then along came COVID-19. The marathon was tentatively postponed to September, and later became a virtual event, in which registered runners complete their 26.2-mile runs between September 5 and September 14. Participants can run around their neighborhoods, run on a treadmill, or travel to another location to run, as long as they practice COVID hygiene. There’s even a virtual marathon expo to visit and an app (iPhone and Android) that helps you follow events as they happen.

Bill Schawbel ran at his home in Needham, Massachusetts, USA, completing the entire marathon on a treadmill. Blessed with an exceptional workout facility on his property, Bill arranged supporters to cheer him on, rotating every hour and watching from a safe distance. Supporters were also able to follow Bill’s progress via the Boston Athletic Association, and JA Worldwide live-tweeted (@JAWorldwide).

Bill is an inspiring entrepreneur who participated in JA while a student at Boston Latin School. “In 1956 or 1957, when I was involved in JA,” he says, “I was president of my JA company. We had to deal with banks, get a product to market, and get investors. This was not that different than my later career, when I also had to deal with banks, had to create new products, and had to manage accounts receivable and accounts payable.”

He remains active with JA Worldwide and Junior Achievement of Northern New England, including supporting the organization while holding executive roles at Gillette Company and serving on its board of directors for over 15 years starting in 1992. During his tenure on the JA of Northern New England board, Bill served as Board Chair, on the Executive Committee, Advisory Council Member and has chaired several fundraising campaigns for the non-profit. Bill now serves on the JA Worldwide Global Council and continues to serve locally on the JA of Northern New England Board Emeritus. In recognition of Bill’s 65 years of commitment to JA, for his 80th birthday, JA of Northern New England announced its plans to name its future makerspace The Schawbel Innovation Center.

Find out more about Bill’s JA experience and subsequent career here and donate to Bill’s JA fundraiser here.

Leo Martellotto, another JA alumnus, ran his marathon in the hills of Cordoba, Argentina. An accomplished Iron Man Triathlete, Leo decided to add to the challenge of running a marathon by choosing a location that was mostly uphill! As president of JA Americas and a member of the JA Worldwide Senior Leadership Team, Leo has overseen unprecedented growth in the region, has contributed his thought leadership to global and regional publications, and has been recognized with global awards. Donate to Leo’s JA fundraiser here.

As two of our biggest fans run the virtual Boston Marathon, JA has also launched the JA Superfan Contest. Through physical exercise (from running to wheeling to dancing), sharing superfan status on social media, or donating, JA fans have through September 14 to earn points. The winner not only earns the title of “JA Superfan” alongside Bill and Leo, but also wins a trip to Boston (airfare, lodging, and a meal stipend) the next time the city’s marathon is run in person. The rest of the top nine superfans win “We Are JA” merchandise. (See rules for full details.) Check out the leaderboard at jasuperfan.org!