Buffalo Marathon Heart-to-Heart fundraiser option
run for heart health
Run the Buffalo Marathon or Half as a Heart-To-Heart Fundraiser
Start time: 6:30am
Location: Delaware Avenue & Huron Street
How it works
We are excited to share new details regarding the 2026 Heart to Heart Buffalo Full and Half Marathon Fundraising Event, which proudly supports the Kaleida Health Foundation.
2026 Registration Updates
The registration fee for runners who commit to raising a minimum of $500 is $75. Please note that this $75 Registration fee serves as your initial, non-refundable donation toward your $500 goal, leaving a remaining balance of $425 to fundraise.
Heart-to-Heart participants will receive:
Fundraising tools to easily accept donations from friends and family.
The same runners' apparel and medals as regular full and half marathon runners.
Eligibility for prizes upon reaching specific fundraising tiers.
New for 2026: The VIP Experience Upgrade
Enhance your race day with our exclusive VIP Experience package!
The VIP Experience includes:
Priority packet pick-up
Exclusive VIP Tent with private restrooms
VIP parking
Pre-race and post-race refreshment
Private post-race recovery zone with amenities
Special VIP swag
VIP Exclusive gear check
A portion of the proceeds from the VIP package is donated to Kaleida’s Gates Vascular Institute. LIMITED SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE, so we encourage you to add the VIP Experience when you complete your registration today
The cost for this amazing (non-refundable) upgrade is $195 per registration.
All funds raised through the Heart-to-Heart program go directly to the Kaleida Health Foundation, benefiting the best-in-class cardiac programs at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute.
Let’s join together as a community to fight heart disease in Western New York!❤️
Where the money goes
All donations and proceeds from the event will go to the best-in-class cardiac programs at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute.
Heart Disease Affects So Many
Approximately 650,000 Americans die from heart disease each year – that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
One person dies every 37 seconds in the US from cardiovascular disease.
92.1 million American adults are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
Western New York has even higher rates of heart disease.
Heart Disease is the #1 cause of death in most WNY counties.
Heart Disease is the 2nd leading cause of premature death in all of WNY.
Stay Tuned: 2026 Medals to be announced soon!
TOP FUNDRAIsers earn prizes
What If I don’t Raise at least $500?
While $500 seems like a lot we are confident with the fundraising tools supplied that allow you to share your commitment and goal to helping the best-in-class cardiac programs at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, you will not only reach but you will surpass $500. In the event you do not reach the minimum fundraising level you will have the following options.
Pay the amount required to get to $500 yourself.
Note: Your $75 registration and all donations collected are non-refundable. Donations go directly to the Kaleida Foundation as soon as they are made.