For Immediate Release
Contact:
Dave Stringer
Chronicle Marathon PR
415-383-8418
dave@nnsllc.com
Peter Nantell
Chronicle Marathon Race Director
peter_nantell@westendmanagement.com
MAY 11TH KICK-OFF FOR CHRONICLE MARATHON SAN FRANCISCO
"CAUSE TO TRAIN" AND "PROGRESSIVE MARATHON" TRAINING/FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS
Free training programs offered to runners/walkers who
fundraise for local charities
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 4, 2002) - Thousands of runners and walkers will
be encouraged to raise pledge donations in support of local charities
through unique fund raising programs at the 25th Anniversary Chronicle
Marathon San Francisco on July 28th. In exchange, the Chronicle Marathon
will provide free training programs and workouts with a certified coach.
The "Cause to Train" and "Progressive Marathon" pledge programs will
raise money for the Bay Area Fire Department's Emergency Response Team
Program, the Volunteer Center of San Francisco, the Bay Area Red Cross,
the Child Abuse Prevention Society, the San Francisco Health Department's
Treatment On Demand substance abuse project, and the America True
Foundation programs for at-risk youth. (See attached for more information
on each.)
"On race day Sunday, July 28th, there may be only one winner in the
marathon race, but there could be thousands of others who will win
through the Cause to Train and Progressive Marathon programs," said race
director Peter Nantell. "All the runners and walkers in these programs
will win through improved health and fitness and everyone in our Bay Area
community wins when these charities are properly funded."
The first combined practice session for the Cause to Train and
Progressive Marathon programs will be held at 8:00AM, Saturday May 11,
2002 at the corner of John F. Kennedy Drive and 36th Avenue in Golden
Gate Park. Participants will train under the tutelage of head coach Craig
Stern. Stern is a certified distance running coach and has coached the
Terra Linda High School cross-country team for six years. He is a
marathon and ultra marathon veteran and past president of the Tamalpa
Runners Club of Marin County.
"We encourage runners and walkers of all ages and ability levels to join
us," Stern said. "This is a great opportunity to do something good for
yourself and for our community."
Runners and walkers must pre-register for these programs in advance at
the Chronicle Marathon web site (www.ChronicleMarathon.com) or by calling
1-800-698-8699.
Stern says that the free weekly workouts will be individualized to the
ability level of each participant. "The two primary benefits of joining
our program are the one-on-one coaching and the group motivation," Stern
said. "Most people, myself included, find it difficult to train on their
own. A coach and training group provide structure and enthusiasm;
training with others makes it a whole lot more fun. People make new
friends while making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle."
Cause to Train program participants will raise $1250 each for the charity
of their choice and take part in the Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or 5K
Run/Walk. They will receive free coaching, an In-Training T-shirt, and
free registration for their event on race day, July 28, 2002. After
completing their event, each Cause to Train participant will receive a
free post-race massage and admission to the Hospitality Tent with catered
food and drink.
The Progressive Marathon program is a unique twist on the traditional
fund raising training programs that have become very popular in the past
decade. Designed for those who are not able to run the entire 26.2-mile
marathon distance on race day, the Progressive Marathon program will
offer participants the chance to run or walk 26.2 miles over a period of
two months. They will finish the final five kilometers (3.1-miles) at the
5K Community Run/Walk held in conjunction with the Marathon on July 28,
2002. Each Progressive Marathoner will raise a minimum of $500 for the
charity of their choice and in exchange will receive the free training
program, free registration for the 5K Run/Walk, a Progressive Marathon
T-shirt, a finisher's medal, and free admission to the post-race
Hospitality Tent.
The free Cause to Train and Progressive Marathon workout sessions with
Coach Stern begin at 8:00AM, Saturday May 11, at the corner of John F.
Kennedy Drive and 36th Avenue in Golden Gate Park.
More information about the Chronicle Marathon, the Cause to Train and the
Progressive Marathon programs, and all related events can be found at the
event web site: http://www.ChronicleMarathon.com. Pledges and donations
can also be made by credit card at the web site.
To obtain more information by telephone, call the Chronicle Marathon Race
Hotline at 1-800-698-8699.
****************************
The Chronicle Marathon San Francisco 2002 is sponsored by the San
Francisco Chronicle, Northern California's largest newspaper, and by KPIX
Channel 5, SFGate.com, 96.5 KOIT, UPN 44/Digital 45/Cable 12, San
Francisco Toyota, Albertson's, the San Francisco Municipal Railway, the
Port of San Francisco, Webb Design, and the Embarcadero Center.
****************************
Chronicle Marathon San Francisco 2002 Official Charities:
The Bay Area Fire Department's Emergency Response Team Program
Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams (NERT) are Bay Area Fire
Department-trained, citizen-based volunteer organization created after
the Loma Prieta earthquake. It grew from citizen requests for such a
program and the Fire Department's realization that trained volunteers
would be essential in responding to similar disaster. The training
program is aimed at enabling people to care for themselves, their
families, and their neighbors after a disaster, particularly during the
first 72 hours. The program consists of 18 hours of training covering a
variety of preparation information and response skills. Though designed
primarily as a response to a large, regional earthquake, the training is
applicable to any kind of disaster.
The Volunteer Center of San Francisco
The Volunteer Center of San Francisco stands ready to mobilize and deploy
volunteers in times of disaster, supporting local agencies in rescue
efforts and in providing aid to victims. Today and every day, people
throughout the Bay Area are fed and clothed and comforted by volunteers.
The Volunteer Center turns "How can I help?" into action through training
and matching volunteers with more than a thousand local nonprofits
working to end homelessness, protect our environment, mentor youth, care
for the sick, and more. Your financial support is multiplied through the
work of many hands.
The Bay Area Red Cross
A major emergency in the Bay Area will affect all of us. The American Red
Cross Bay Area will work with volunteers to ensure that we are prepared
and ready to respond. The funds you raise will all be used locally to
provide CPR/First Aid training, outreach to vulnerable populations, and a
new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) designed to ensure a coordinated
and efficient disaster response. Together, we can save lives.
Child Abuse Prevention Society
The mission of the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Society (CAPS) is
to support our belief that every child deserves a childhood free of
violence, abuse, and neglect. By promoting healthy families, preventing
child abuse, and raising public awareness, we can help assure that every
child gets a nurturing start in life. We own and maintain a facility that
houses the programs of the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center
and we provide financial and hands-on volunteer support to ensure the
ongoing success of those programs and goals.
Treatment On Demand Substance Abuse Project
Run by the San Francisco Health Department, TOD helps those battling
substance abuse issues. Too many people who are willing and ready to
enter treatment services are, in effect, denied services due to the
limited treatment capacity currently available. San Francisco is one of 3
pilot cities engaged in the process of community-focused health planning
in hopes of providing better treatment and facilities.
America True: Programs for At-Risk Youth
The America True Foundation works in partnership with the YMCA, YWCA,
Boys and Girls Clubs, and other inner city youth programs to provide free
sailing experiences to at-risk youth in San Francisco, surrounding
communities and across the United States. Girls and Boys in America True
Sailing Programs have the opportunity to learn about the sport of
sailing, and find empowerment in themselves. They learn leadership, how
to work effectively with others, safety, environmental respect, risk
assessment and how to make good choices, and of course, how to sail. This
program makes a difference to almost 2,500 children each year.
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