This was my favorite marathons from last year, and probably the only one that I watched. This year they promise to be better then ever; more prizes better quality video, and more important a larger financial goal to reach. Last year Mario Marathons made an amazing $11,767 dollars, and I hope this year they double that. I know times are tough, so if you can only give a dollar give that, any little amount helps.

We will send out reminders through out the week for this event, and post up the live stream when it starts. Press release after the jump.

Donate HERE

Video Game Marathon benefits Children’s Hospitals World Wide LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – June 27, 2009 – Beginning Friday, July 10, gamers from Lafayette, Indiana will host the second annual Mario Marathon benefiting Child’s Play Charity, which provides toys, games and books to patients of children’s hospitals world wide. The multi day internet event, broadcast live online, attracts an audience from around the world to watch as a team of three plays through twenty five years of Super Mario Brothers video games. Those wishing to support the event are encouraged to donate directly to Child’s Play through the mariomarathon.com web site. The initial event, held in 2008, lasted fifty seven hours, attracted over 100,000 viewers, and raised nearly $12,000 for Child’s Play. This year’s event is projected to last longer, with the length extended by each donation. “It’s a kind of endurance stunt to promote Child’s Play,” says Brian Brinegar, Event Coordinator, “a video game reality show.” Viewers of the event will have the opportunity to interact with the team and win various Mario themed prizes. The Child’s Play Charity (www.childsplaycharity.org) is a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over sixty hospitals world wide. Since its inception in 2003, the charity has distributed over 3.5 million dollars worth of toys, games, books, and cash . “We rely heavily on community run initiatives such as Mario Marathon.” says Kristin Lindsay, with Child’s Play, “These fund raising events represent our greatest strength: the generosity and determinations of gamers.” “We would not be able to offer the opportunity to play video games to so many patients without the generous donation of Child’s Play”, says Rena Brown, Toy Room co-chair with Indianapolis based Riley Hospital for Children, “Video games are a great activity because the children can “escape” to another world.” Watch the event live on the web at www.mariomarathon.com beginning July 10th at 9:00 AM EDT. Donations for the event are being accepted through July 15th.