FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend to Benefit St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital as a Featured St. Jude Heroes Event
Local Charities Back on My Feet, German Shepherd Rescue Indy Also Selected
as Official Beneficiary Partners
CARMEL, Ind. (Dec. 21, 2011) - The Carmel Road Racing Group and St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital announced today a new partnership for the
second annual Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend, held on Saturday, April
21, 2012 in Carmel, Ind. As a featured St. Jude Heroes event, participants
of the Carmel Marathon, Carmel Half-Marathon Presented by Runners Forum,
Championship Weekend 8K and 1-Mile Family Fitness Walk can join St. Jude's
fight against childhood cancer.
Participants can combine the personal fitness challenge of the Carmel
Marathon Championship Weekend with fundraising for St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, one of the world's premier centers for the research and
treatment of cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.
By fundraising as a St. Jude Hero, participants can earn great incentives,
such as a St. Jude Heroes singlet, a complimentary entry to the event,
access to training and group runs with the Carmel Runner's Club and much
more. They will also receive a personal fundraising website, online
training, and support from the Carmel St. Jude fundraising office.
In 2010, more than 6,000 Heroes from across the country raised more than $3
million for the children of St. Jude, the only pediatric cancer research
center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.
"We're honored to partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and
the St. Jude Heroes program," said Todd Oliver, president of Carmel Road
Racing Group and Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend. "St. Jude has a
significant local presence in Carmel, so this is a perfect opportunity to
join forces to benefit one cause."
Back on My Feet and the German Shepherd Rescue Indy were also announced as
official charities of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend.
Back on My Feet promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless populations
in Indianapolis by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence,
strength and self-esteem. The nonprofit's comprehensive program also
includes connections to educational and job training opportunities. Many
programs culminate in its members running an organized race, such as the
Carmel Marathon, with Back on My Feet volunteers.
In addition, the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend will make a donation
to the German Shepherd Rescue Indy, which focuses on rescuing German
shepherd dogs facing euthanization. As the only German shepherd rescue in
Indianapolis, the organization works to place dogs from regional shelters
in new homes.
The inaugural Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend in June 2011 attracted
participants and elite runners from 45 states and 3 countries. The Carmel
Marathon, a certified Boston qualifier event, is the only full distance
marathon currently held in the prosperous and growing suburb located just
north of Indianapolis. The fast, flat courses for both the marathon and
half-marathon have been officially certified with USA Track and Field.
As the official charity partners, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Back on My Feet and the German Shepherd Rescue Indy will take part in the
Carmel Marathon Fitness Expo, held at the Monon Community Center in Carmel.
The road races will start and finish at Carmel's Palladium at the Center
for Performing Arts with the courses passing through many of the city's
scenic areas, including the Carmel Arts and Design District, Old Town
Carmel and Carmel Clay Parks. Participants and their supporters are invited
to the Center Green, adjacent to the Palladium, for the post-race
celebration that will include live music, award presentations, massages and
vendors.
"We're so excited to have St. Jude, Back on My Feet and the German Shepherd
Rescue Indy on board for 2012," Oliver said. "Through these partnerships,
we can help give back to the local community that has supported the growth
of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend as a nationally-recognized
event."
For more information on the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend's official
charity partners and to register, visit CarmelMarathon.com.
About the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend:
The second annual Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend, held on April 21,
2012, offers something for everyone: the Carmel Marathon, Carmel
Half-Marathon Presented by Runners Forum, Championship Weekend 8K and a
1-Mile Family Fitness Walk in Carmel, Ind., a suburb north of Indianapolis.
Partners of the 2012 Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend include St.
Vincent Carmel Hospital, Tom Wood Automotive Group, Subway, Runners Forum,
ASICS, Hamilton County Sports Authority, POWERADE, Monon Community Center,
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Salon 01, Dr. Michael Helms, Carmel City
Center, Current in Carmel, PBC Sports Photography, Hamilton Beverage, and
ERS Data Solutions Group.
For more information, please visit CarmelMarathon.com. Find us on Facebook
and Twitter @CarmelMarathon.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its
pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other
life-threatening diseases. The hospital's research has helped push overall
survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent when the
institution opened to almost 80 percent today. It is the first and only
National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted
solely to children, and no family ever pays St. Jude for care. For more
information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on
www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.
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