WMTW-TV Teams Up With Special Olympics For Boston Marathon
CHANNEL 8 WMTW AND HEARST TELEVISION’S NEW ENGLAND STATIONS PARTNER WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS ON THE 130TH RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON
RUNNERS FROM WMTW, WCVB, WMUR, AND WPTZ WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR REGIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAPTERS AND CHAMPION INCLUSION
PORTLAND, ME (January 29, 2026) – Again this year, Channel 8 WMTW will join the Hearst Television New England stations, WMUR in Manchester, NH and WPTZ in Burlington, VT, to simulcast WCVB Boston’s exclusive live coverage of the Boston Marathon®. In honor of the historic 130th running of the Boston Marathon, WMTW and Hearst Television’s New England stations are partnering with their local Special Olympics chapters to celebrate athletes with intellectual disabilities and raise funds to support inclusion, determination, and the power of sport.
Through this partnership, WMTW and its sister stations will feature Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and families across on-air, digital, and social platforms leading up to the Boston Marathon and throughout Marathon Week. The collaboration will amplify the voices and stories of these athletes while promoting Special Olympics’ year-round sports training and competition programs.
WMTW’s partner chapter, Special Olympics Maine, is part of a global movement that uses the power of sport to foster acceptance, confidence, and community for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Serving millions of athletes worldwide, the organization embodies the same spirit of perseverance, resilience, and unity celebrated by the Boston Marathon. Through this shared mission, the Special Olympics Maine Boston Marathon team brings together dedicated runners who raise vital funds to support athletes with intellectual disabilities, helping provide life-changing opportunities in sports and beyond.
We’re proud to partner with Special Olympics Maine during the 130th Boston Marathon to spotlight athletes who inspire us and show how sport unites communities,” said David Abel, WMTW President and General Manager. “This collaboration reinforces our commitment to sharing impactful stories across Maine and New Hampshire while celebrating the values that make the Boston Marathon so powerful.”
“The Boston Marathon brings people together in a way few events can—it inspires generosity, amplifies awareness, and builds momentum for causes that matter,” said Ian Frank, President & CEO of Special Olympics Maine. We are delighted/ grateful that Channel 8 is highlighting our athletes and mission, while also raising critical funds to support Special Olympics Maine. I truly appreciate how Channel 8 has elevated the profile of the Boston Marathon through compelling storytelling and a thoughtful focus on the positive impact that charities like Special Olympics Maine have on communities. Their commitment to shining a spotlight on Special Olympics will make a powerful impact on our athletes and communities across Maine.”
HOW TO SUPPORT
To learn more about Special Olympics Maine and how to get involved, visit Special Olympics Maine. Support helps provide year-round sports training, competition opportunities, and inclusive programming for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
About Special Olympics Maine
Special Olympics Maine provides year-round sports training, athletic competition across 20 sports, and other related programming for over 5,000 participants with intellectual disabilities alongside Unified partners – participants without disabilities – across the state in over 120 sporting competitions each year. Through the power of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. https://www.somaine.org/
About WMTW
WMTW is a digital multi-media company providing content to Channel 8 WMTW, Maine’s CW, WMTW.com MeTV Portland and Very Local, Our Maine specials and on the WMTW mobile app. WMTW produces over 45 hours of Maine’s Total Coverage and Maine’s Total Weather each week. Channel 8 has been honored with EmmPy’s and MAB awards for Best Newscast, Best Weathercast, Best Sportscast and Best Election Coverage in New England and Maine plus Eight Regional Edward R. Murrow awards for the continuing pursuit of excellence in journalism. Maine’s Total Weather has been certified Maine’s Most Accurate Forecast for 8 years in a row. WMTW serves as the official television partner for the American Heart Association in Maine, Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri For A Cure, dozens of local events and over 30 seasons with the Portland Sea Dogs. Channel 8 WMTW, the ABC affiliate serves viewers across Southern Maine and eastern New Hampshire and is owned by Hearst Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst. Follow us on Facebook (wmtwtv) and on X (@wmtwtv).
About Hearst Television
Hearst Television owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching 24 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over more than 120 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces original programming across linear and streaming platforms for domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free to download on household OTT devices and available across popular streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.
Media Contact:
Matt Earl, WMTW, mearl@hearst.com, 207-835-3893
Special Olympics Maine Contact:
Ian Frank, Special Olympics Maine, ianf@somaine.org, 207-879-0489
