YMCA of Washington County awarded $4k Sports Tourism grant

At its Jan. 11 meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded an estimated $1.8 million in CAT and Sports Tourism grants to Iowa cities and organizations. The YMCA of Washington County received $4,000 to market the April 26 Kewash Trail Half Marathon in Washington, with funds earmarked for digital and direct marketing channels.

“Our goal is to attract more out of state runners to Southeast Iowa,” said Amy Schulte, CEO of the YMCA of Washington County, in an email to the CBJ. “Each year we donate 50% of the proceeds back to the community and support groups like Girls on the Run, Rotary, Optimist and many of our local high school sports teams as well as giving back to city and county conservation projects,” she said. “The 2023 Kewash Trail Half Marathon enabled us to give $11,300 back to these local groups and we are projecting to net $16,000 in 2024, after we give back to these same types of organizations.” The Kewash Trail is a 14 mile former railway that the county repurposed into a nature trail between Washington and Keota, thus the name “Kewash.” 2024 will be the 11th anniversary of the race, which draws approximately 500 people annually, though race organizers are hoping for 650 participants this year with increased marketing initiatives. With funds from the Enhance Iowa Board, the YMCA will be utilizing targeted digital ads, direct email marketing ads and traditional media ads for the race, a 30% increase in numbers, according to Ms. Schulte. “The real impact is being able to share our amazing community with new people that we are able to reach,” she said. Those who would like to find out more about the race or sign up can do so at: https://kewashhalfmarathon.wixsite.com/kewashhalfmarathon