In partnership with the Commonwealth, the 26.2 Foundation announced that the Registry of Motor Vehicles is issuing special charity license plates for Massachusetts residents.

President of the 26.2 Foundation Tim Kilduff said, “The idea of a 26.2 plate was fostered and developed in Hopkinton and provides an opportunity to bring awareness to the 26.2 Foundation and to expand Hopkinton’s Marathon Footprint.”

He said the foundation began the process to create the special charity license plate in June 2023. It involved researching the application process, talking with other charities who currently have a license plate, and creating one to ensure they could be successful in selling them.

The 26.2 Foundation’s signature project is the development of the International Marathon Center in Hopkinton, designed to honor, celebrate and inspire the sport of marathoning. Their plans call for a state-of-the-art education and conference facility, a marathon museum, and a hall of fame.  

“Having been aware of the charity license program with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts we saw an opportunity to engage those who feel a connection to the marathon through a 26.2 plate,” Kilduff said.

Response from the plate’s pre-sale has been overwhelmingly positive. “Plate numbers under 100 that have been sold during the pre-sale and are no longer available include: 1-18, 21, 22, 24-28, 30, 33, 36, 44, 47, 77, 81, 100. We can also assign up to plate number 850 and several of those have been sold as well.  It has been great to learn about why people want a plate! We’ve had runners, long-time marathon volunteers, and even collectors who specialize in low plate numbers,” said Kim Chisholm, Marketing Director for the 26.2 Foundation.

Kilduff said, “This is an opportunity for those in Massachusetts who feel connected with the sport of marathoning to take part in bringing the vision of the International Marathon Center to life, a place where excellence and the power of the human spirit will be honored, celebrated, and inspired. The charity plate will help drive us towards that goal.

“Not only will supporting the 26.2 plate help to bring awareness to the 26.2 Foundation and our mission to build the International Marathon Center, but for each person that purchases one, it is a unique way to honor the history and legacy of the marathon, celebrate a personal marathon accomplishment or connection, and inspire others to run,” he added.

Kilduff said the foundation hopes to sell at least 3,000 of the special charity license plates.

According to the foundation’s website, the plate costs $40, with $28 of the purchase price going to the 26.2 Foundation. The remaining $12 is a one-time-only cost to cover manufacturing expenses.

The standard Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles $60 registration cost and renewal fees apply to the price of the license plate.

The special charity license plate can be renewed every two years for a $40 fee, which all goes to the 26.2 Foundation.

Customers of a license plate can make an additional donation of $100 for a plate number between 1 and 100. Requested numbers are first come, first served, and customers are encouraged to have multiple choice. Additionally, numbers 26 and 262 are not currently available, but may be at a later date.

Manufacturing will begin once 750 plates are sold during the pre-sale, and typically takes six to eight months. Kilduff said the money from the license plates will go toward “unrestricted funding” for the International Marathon Center in Hopkinton.

“Once built, the International Marathon Center will engage guests of all ages intellectually, emotionally, and physically.  It will also educate and inspire visitors to live a healthy lifestyle through endurance sports, especially running, and to ensure those opportunities are accessible to all.  It will have a positive cultural and economic impact in Hopkinton and the MetroWest Region,” he said.

“We are thankful to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the opportunity to be part of the special charity plate program. The list of charities who have been awarded this privilege is impressive and we are humbled to be in such good company,” Kilduff said.

The 26.2 Foundation is hosting an in-person presale event at Start Line Brewing on Saturday, June 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information, check the 26.2 Foundation’s website (https://www.26-2.org/licenseplate).