Event to celebrate 10 years running on Sunday, January 18, 2026
PASADENA, CA – May 12, 2025 – The rescheduled 2025 Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K, held on Sunday, April 27th, successfully brought the community together to support both local wildfire relief efforts and the mission of The McCourt Foundation. Despite the earlier postponement due to devastating fires that impacted the region, the event saw strong participation and fundraising success.
The McCourt Foundation is proud to announce a donation of $11,700 to the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Eaton wildfire relief fund. These funds will directly support those in the local community who were impacted by the recent fires.
“I am grateful to the McCourt Foundation for their generous contribution to the Pasadena Educational Foundation in support of our Eaton Fire response efforts,” said Dr. Patrick Conyers, PEF’s Executive Director. “Thanks to the McCourt Foundation’s contribution and those from other foundations, corporations, and caring individuals, we are helping Pasadena Unified School District, along with its teachers, staff, and students, recover from the fire. “
Furthermore, the event successfully raised over $100,000 through the dedicated efforts of over 200 participants. These vital funds will directly support The McCourt Foundation’s ongoing mission to cure neurological diseases and empower healthier communities.
Among the inspiring participants was David Colley, who was displaced by the Eaton Fire. Undeterred, David ran his 4th Rose Bowl Half Marathon to support The McCourt Foundation, adding to his total fundraising amount of $10,000. His commitment underscores the spirit of resilience and community support that defined the event. Adding to the heartwarming story, David’s son Asher completed his final kids run and is eagerly anticipating moving up to the 5K next year, following in his father’s footsteps.
Participants experienced the unique thrill of crossing the finish line on the iconic 50-yard line of the Rose Bowl, setting this race apart from all others. The event transformed the historic stadium into a symbol of community healing aligning with the Rose Bowl’s growing role in civic engagement.
“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our participants, sponsors, and the Pasadena community, and thankful for the flexibility and understanding around the postponement of the event,” said Melissa Christian, The McCourt Foundation’s Director of Programming and Engagement. “With the Rose Bowl having served as a wildfire command center in January, it was especially meaningful to host the event at a location that had played such a critical role during the fires. Thanks to the incredible support, the funds raised will make a tangible difference for those affected by the Eaton wildfire as well as further our mission to cure neurological diseases.”
The McCourt Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to all runners, walkers, volunteers, and sponsors who contributed to the success of the 2025 Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K. Their dedication has made a significant impact on the local community and the Foundation’s vital work.
The Rose Bowl Half Marathon will celebrate 10 years running on January 18, 2026. For more information to register for the event, visit mccourtfoundation.org.
About the Pasadena Educational Foundation
The Pasadena Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enriching the educational experiences of students in the Pasadena Unified School District. The Eaton wildfire relief fund provides crucial assistance to students and families impacted by the recent fires.
About The McCourt Foundation
The McCourt Foundation (TMF) empowers communities to build a healthier world through research, education, and events. TMF’s mission is to cure neurological diseases while empowering communities to build a healthier world. TMF makes a difference by donating to neurology research, hosting educational forums, and using our events such as the Los Angeles Marathon, Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K, Santa Monica Classic, Boston Waterfront 5K, and Tour de South Shore, as platforms to raise funds for over 105 nonprofit charity partners. Since its inception, TMF has donated more than $6.7 million to neurology research and generated more than $76M for our nonprofit charity partners. Established in 1992, TMF is a 501 (c)(3) with offices in Boston, MA and Los Angeles, CA. For more information, visit www.mccourtfoundation.org.