Get Set for ‘On Your Marc’ 5K Run/Walk

For the last three years, approximately 600 people have consistently participated in the “On Your Marc” 5k walk/run event.

Participants not only gather for the opportunity to take to the streets of Lower Providence, but also to honor the memory of Marc Small, a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret medic, killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2009.

Small had also grown up in the township.

“He was 29 when he left, still very young,” Mary MacFarland, Marc’s mother, said.

According to MacFarland, Marc had attended high school in the township. After college, at the age of 25, Marc joined the army.

“After 9-11, he had a passion, MacFarland recalled. “2009 would have been his 30th birthday,”

MacFarland and her daughter, Megan, wanted to create an event that would honor Marc’s military service and memory.

With the help of the township, in 2009, the inaugural “On Your Marc” 5K walk/run event took place. The 2012 event will take place on the morning of Aug. 4 [see below for event details].

The high number of participants made the event successful, and raised over $25,000 its first year. Since then, according to event literature, over $90,000 has been raised.

“It was an overwhelming response from the community,” MacFarland said. “We never expected to be so successful.”

Proceeds from the event benefit Small Steps in Speech, a nonprofit organization started by Marc’s fiancée Amanda Charney, who is a speech pathologist.

According to the  Small Steps in Speech website, the organization helps children with speech, as well as, language disorders through providing grants and donations to service providers and qualifying charitable organizations.

According to MacFarland, in the last three years, at least 140 grants have been given to children and organizations across the nation.

MacFarland, who is the organization’s president, said that Marc greatly supported his fiancée’s goal of creating her own private practice with the same name. However, after the news of Marc’s death, she helped make her business into a charitable nonprofit.

MacFarland said the Aug. 4 “On Your Marc” event will likely attract 600 people again this year.

She has described the event as becoming a community tradition.

 “We’ll hold the annual event to keep the memory alive,” MacFarland said.

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Heading to the Fourth-Annual 5K Run/Walk “On Your Marc” Event?

When - Aug. 4

Time – Runners starts at 8:30 a.m. and Walkers start at 8:35 a.m.

Where – The Lower Providence Township Fire Department, 3199 Ridge Pike in Eagleville.

Registration - While online registration is closed, walk and run registration and check-in can be obtained on Aug. 3 from 5 – 7 p.m.; or Aug. 4, from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. at the Lower Providence Fire Department Pavilion. Registration on both dates costs $30, and t-shirts will be available while supplies last.

Event Day Notes:

• New this year is “Doggie Registration,” where registered four-legged participants will receive a bandana, while supplies last.  

• A post walk/race event will take place at Brother Paul’s, 3300 Ridge Pike in Eagleville for more fun, raffles and food. The public is welcome to participate with the post event.

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For more race information, contact Megan MacFarland at 610-416-9898 or e-mail onyourmarc8@yahoo.com.

For more information on Small Steps in Speech, visit www.smallstepsinspeech.com.