Capital City Marathon Association – a Jerry Miller Legacy

The Capital City Marathon Association celebrates the leadership and contributions of former CCMA President Jerry Miller. Jerry passed away August 30th. Without Jerry’s passion there would be no CCMA and no signature event – the annual May Marathon weekend.

In May 1984 the greater Olympia area and a fledgling running organization galvanized their local resources and spirit to host the first US Women’s Marathon Olympia Trials. What a success that was! People from all over the country loved their experience in Olympia and local residents saw running as a wonderful sport.

When the event was over, some local runners and supporters wanted to keep the legacy of the Trials alive and continue with an annual local marathon. Jerry Miller was one of those committed to the idea. Jerry believed in running as a healthy pursuit and the power of community events. What would it take to keep it going?

In the late 1980s, through the 1990s and into the 2000s, Jerry was President of the small Capital city Marathon Association. He gathered together like-minded folks and got to work building a sustaining community event. It wasn’t easy. The organization faced insolvency in the early days. Coordinating large numbers of volunteers to conduct an event covering a large geographic area presented many challenges. Jerry’s passion, gregarious personality and personal touch got people and local businesses involved.

Today, the CCMA continues focusing on healthy living and community involvement during May’s Marathon Weekend – as Jerry envisioned.

• Not only is there a marathon, but five-mile, half marathon and kids’ run events to support interests of the broader community – leisure and competitive runners.
• The early days practice of local business purchasing and organization participation continues which benefits the event, provides recognition for local businesses, and in return contributes financially to the larger business community and city coffers. Local coffee vendor in the park; local groups sponsor water stops; local grocers, eateries and bakeries provide refreshment and food; hundreds of shirts printed locally; awards sourced and engraved locally, etc.
• Involving community begins with developing community. Jerry’s belief in having high school runners experience what it takes to put on an event and to be part of a larger community effort was important. He began the practice of having high school cross country runners work the event. Today over a dozen high schools in the region and the local community college have a role in supporting the CCMA training group and Marathon Weekend.

After his many years with CCMA came to a close, Jerry continued to focus on his cross country and track students at Capital High School in Olympia. He was named to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame as a cross country coach. His teams were very successful in competition and, more importantly to Jerry, he wanted students to learn skills for success in life after high school.

Jerry has also been instrumental in helping the annual Olympia Lake Fair runs continue.

The Capital City Marathon Association and the annual May event are lasting Miller legacies: celebrating a healthy sport, building community and supporting students. Everyone involved feels proud of their efforts and contributions.