There is some holiday cheer out there after all. One example comes in the form of the DMSE Sports’ Merry-Thon, which earlier this month kicked off a 26-day streaker challenge of fitness and holiday spirit. The Merry-Thon promises to keep participants moving, even as the weather gets colder, and to spread a bit of holiday joy, even in the midst of a pandemic.
For each day over the course of 26 days, participants are asked to complete at least one mile of movement by whatever means the participant chooses, and to complete one act of kindness.
The event kicked off December 1 and will run through December 26. Participants can register at dmsesports.com/merrython throughout the event.
“This has been a really tough year for so many, and this year, most of us won’t be spending the holidays with family and friends like we would in non-pandemic years,” says Dave McGillivray, president of DMSE Sports. “We wanted to offer an event that was motivating and fun, and a bit of a distraction from the difficult year 2020 has been. With the Merry-Thon, participants not only focus on their own health and fitness, but they’re gently reminded to spend some time extending the holiday spirit to others.”
The event will benefit the non-profit Christmas in the City, a volunteer organization that serves Boston-area children and families who are experiencing homelessness. In light of the pandemic, CITC has canceled its in-person holiday event and will instead be visiting a number of shelters to bring gifts and holiday joy to children and their parents.
“Tough times are when people show what they’re made of and Christmas in the City is so grateful to see people stepping up to the plate and helping those who are less fortunate,” says 26-year CITC volunteer Barry Chait. “A big shout-out to all the participants of the Merry-Thon. Homelessness and poverty will not be cured by any one person—it really does take a village. Thanks to the DMSE Sports family for being part of the Christmas in the City village.”
Donating to CITC is 100 percent voluntary and not a requirement to register. All money fundraised will be directed toward Christmas in the City, and the DMSE Foundation will match the first $2500 in donations.
“Christmas in the City has done so much for so many families in need over the years,” adds Matt West, CEO of DMSE Sports. “With the terrible loss of Jake Kennedy – founder of CITC – we thought there was no better time than this year to give them as much support as possible. Christmas in the City’s mission is so similar to the goals we have for the DMSE Sports Merry-Thon – encouraging people to get moving and do good for someone else – so the partnership was a no brainer. This pandemic has hurt so many people — it’s time for us all to give back to each other.”
About Christmas in the City
Boston’s Christmas in the City runs non-denominational holiday events for children and families experiencing homelessness and poverty, and throughout the year is always on the lookout for ways to help those in need. Founded in 1989, Christmas in the City is a 100 percent volunteer organization with a strong ethos of “community caring for community.”
About DMSE Sports
Founded by Dave McGillivray in 1981, DMSE Sports specializes in creating and producing mass participatory athletic events. DMSE works with the B.A.A. operations team in overseeing all the logistics and technical operations of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and manages the TD Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod, the lululemon San Diego 10K, and the Bellin Run in Green Bay, Wisconsin, among others.
