Pickleball Marathons: How 12-Hour Matches Are Powering Big Causes

Pickleball Marathons: Inside the World of 12-Hour Charity Matches
A Game with Heart: When Pickleball Meets Philanthropy
Pickleball is often described as the fastest-growing sport in America. But beyond the rapid rallies and booming tournaments, a quieter movement has been gaining momentum — pickleball for purpose. Across the country, players are organizing 12-hour charity matches, transforming public courts into arenas of endurance, community, and giving.

These marathon events combine passion for the sport with a drive to make an impact. They push physical limits, forge deep bonds, and raise thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars for causes ranging from cancer research to youth programs. But what really goes into these long-haul matches? Who participates? And what makes them more than just a test of stamina?

What Is a Pickleball Marathon?
A pickleball marathon is typically a 6- to 12-hour continuous event where participants play in rotating formats, often with pledges or donations tied to time played, games won, or overall participation.

Key features include:

Rotating partners and opponents, encouraging community engagement.

Scheduled breaks and hydration stations, critical for player safety.

Donation pledges, either per hour or flat-rate contributions.

Nonstop play, with some players logging 100+ games in one day.

These events are not just about endurance — they are carefully orchestrated, often involving organizers, sponsors, volunteers, and local nonprofits.

Why 12 Hours? The Psychology of Going Long
Twelve hours may seem excessive for a sport often associated with fun and social play, but for many, that’s the point.

1. Symbolic Commitment
The duration makes a statement: this isn’t just a drop-in match. It reflects dedication to a cause and amplifies visibility.

“If I can play for 12 hours, maybe someone notices and donates,” says Lisa Munroe, who organized a marathon in Portland to raise funds for veterans’ mental health.

2. Physical and Emotional Challenge
It’s not just a physical feat. As fatigue sets in, players report moments of emotional clarity, bonding, and renewed appreciation for their own health and mobility — especially when the cause is related to medical issues.

3. Community Magnet
The format allows for a constant ebb and flow of participants. Some stay for an hour, others go the distance, but the open-ended format invites participation across all skill levels.

What It Takes to Organize a 12-Hour Match
These events don’t come together overnight. Here’s a breakdown of key elements behind the scenes:

1. Planning and Promotion
Most events are planned 1–3 months in advance. Organizers coordinate with:

Local parks and rec departments for extended court access.

Nonprofits to channel donations and provide tax-deductible receipts.

Local sponsors, such as paddle companies, to donate prizes or match donations.

Social media, email campaigns, and local press are used to recruit players and promote fundraising.

2. Scheduling and Safety
A clear, posted schedule ensures that courts remain occupied without overloading players. Key features include:

Heat-mapping player availability so busy periods are well-staffed.

Safety protocols, including first aid stations and shaded rest areas.

Hydration and food support, often with local vendors donating supplies.

3. Technology
Modern events often use tools like SignUpGenius or PlayTime Scheduler to manage time slots and ensure coverage. QR codes on banners link directly to donation pages for spectators or drop-in supporters.

Stories from the Court: Impact in Motion
In Louisville, Kentucky, a group of players raised over $20,000 during a 12-hour pickleball marathon to support a children’s cancer center. Participants wore shirts with names of kids in treatment, and courts were named after individual patients.

In Scottsdale, Arizona, a breast cancer survivor organized an all-women’s night marathon. With pink paddle grips and sponsor-matched donations, they raised awareness and funds for early detection programs.

In these and many other events, the cause is not background noise — it’s central to the experience. Timeouts are taken not just for rest, but for short stories and testimonials that reconnect players to the mission.

The Role of the Community
A 12-hour event becomes more than a fundraiser — it becomes a gathering. Spectators cheer. Families picnic. Local musicians and food trucks add a festival feel.

Volunteer roles are just as important as players:

Scorekeepers and timekeepers

Donation table staff

Medical volunteers

MCs or DJs to keep energy high

Some events include mini-games or side competitions (like fastest serve contests or dink challenges) to engage non-players and keep the atmosphere vibrant throughout the day.

The Toll — and the Reward
Physically: Players often report sore shoulders, tired legs, and the occasional blister or cramp. Proper warm-up and post-event recovery are essential.
Mentally: Fatigue hits hardest in hours 7–10. Players say keeping conversations light and energy upbeat helps combat the slump.
Emotionally: The final hours are often the most moving. As totals are announced and stories shared, the sense of shared purpose becomes palpable.
“I was exhausted. But when we saw the donation number cross five digits, we all just looked at each other and knew it was worth it,” says Jorge Peña, who ran a marathon for a local food bank in Florida.

How You Can Get Involved
You don’t need a large club or deep pockets to make a marathon event happen. Here’s how to start:

Pick a cause that resonates with your group.

Secure a venue and confirm extended court time.

Create a donation structure: per game, per hour, or fixed.

Use free scheduling and fundraising tools.

Promote locally and online with a clear story.

Recruit volunteers, not just players.

And if 12 hours seems daunting, start with six. The spirit — not the duration — is what makes these events meaningful.

Conclusion: A Match That Goes Beyond the Scoreboard
Pickleball marathons aren’t about perfect footwork or elite competition. They’re about endurance in service of others — about rallying not just to win a point, but to change a life.

As the sport continues to grow, so does its potential to do good. And whether you’re playing game number one or hour number twelve, every point played in these events is a point for something bigger.