UW apologizes to marathoners over charity tiff

University of Washington officials apologized Monday to runners in the Seattle Marathon who mistakenly believed that part of their race fee would go toward charity.

UW Medicine spokeswoman Tina Mankowski said comments made by race announcers and promotion surrounding the Sunday event may have created a mistaken impression. She wanted to make it clear that only money given in addition to race fees — which cost up to $120 — goes to the UW Medical Center Patient & Family Housing Fund. The UW also is the primary event sponsor.

"Judging from the e-mails we are getting today, it was not clear to a number of people in the community, and we apologize for that," Mankowski said. "Moving forward, it will be very well spelled out for people. I don't think there's any question about that."

The Seattle Times reported Monday that the Seattle Marathon brings in revenue of more than $1 million each year but last year gave just 1 percent of that — $12,000 — to charity, despite statements by race announcers and a logo on the marathon Web site which say the run benefits UW Medicine.

At this year's event, the UW Medical Center found itself in the unusual position of being both the main sponsor and the sole benefactor from the race. The UW is two years into a four-year contract with the Seattle Marathon Association.

As well as providing medical staff for the event, the UW this year paid $125,000 to help put on the race. That goes up to $155,000 by 2009. In 2006, the UW paid $110,000 toward marathon costs. With the money the UW received back to help patients, it resulted in a net loss of $98,000.

"We weren't looking for $12,000 back. We were really looking for an opportunity to talk to the public about organ donation," Mankowski said. "The marathon has been a huge Seattle tradition. From my perspective, it's been a very well-respected marathon in the community."

Seattle Marathon Association President John Kokes said it was never the organization's intent to create an impression that race fees would benefit a charity. He said that keeping donations separate from race fees can encourage entrants who may not wish to donate to the chosen charity, and can also help runners with their tax returns.

Mankowski said the UW gets value through media coverage and a public focus on transplant issues. But in future years, Mankowski said, the UW and marathon officials will pick a small, outside charity that could more substantially benefit from an infusion of $12,000.

Dozens of readers contacted The Times on Monday. Many were upset. "The Seattle Marathon is clearly misleading people with regard to the extent of its charitable contributions," wrote one. "Why is the City of Seattle closing streets when the purpose is to line the pockets of the organizers?" wrote another.

Others were more circumspect. "The run itself is the purpose, for Olympians and those back in the pack. Raising money for a good cause is just an extra bonus," wrote one reader.

The marathon association's way of doing business has changed, Kokes explained. In the two years ending with the 2006 tax returns, employee costs tripled to $330,000 as the organization shifted from volunteer labor to paid labor, especially for tasks like unloading trucks and setting up equipment.

Meanwhile, officials at the previous beneficiary of the marathon said Monday that they had involved a lawyer after they became concerned about the small amount of money — also about 1 percent — that they received from the event.

Attorney Paul Carpenter said he worked pro bono for the then-named Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Puget Sound, which was the beneficiary of the Seattle Marathon for four years ending 2005. He asked marathon officials for an audit of all four years but they refused, he said. The Candlelighters couldn't afford to pursue litigation, he said.

Kokes said the marathon association was happy — and remains happy — for the Candlelighters to conduct an audit, but it would have to be at the Candlelighters' expense, something that organization had balked at.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com