FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raisin Hope Foundation Becomes an Official Charity Affiliate of the
ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon
Georgia Native and Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor, Saul Raisin, to run
ING Georgia Marathon
Atlanta, GA -- February 23, 2010 – The ING Georgia Marathon announced today
it has reached an agreement with the Raisin Hope Foundation to become an
official charity affiliate of the March 21, 2010 race. Former pro cyclist,
traumatic brain injury survivor and founder of the Raisin Hope Foundation,
Saul Raisin plans to run the full ING Georgia Marathon. The Raisin Hope
Foundation will have a booth at the ING Georgia Health & Fitness Expo
Inspired by Mizuno on Friday, March 19, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and
Saturday, March 20, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Georgia Dome.
Participants at the ING Georgia Health & Fitness Expo Inspired by Mizuno
will have a chance to purchase Raisin’s book "Tour de Life" and see him
give two motivational speeches during the event: March 19 at 6:00 PM, and
March 20 at 2:00 PM. The ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon is owned
and operated by US Road Sports and Entertainment Group.
More than 18,000 runners are expected to hit the streets of Atlanta for the
ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, March 21, at 7:00 AM EST.
The race course will travel through metro Atlanta’s most interesting and
historic areas, including the Sweet Auburn District, Inman Park, Decatur,
Druid Hills, Virginia-Highland, and Midtown areas. Along the way, they
will pass landmarks including the King Historic Site, Carter Center, four
college campuses, and Piedmont Park. Race weekend will also include the
Publix Run Wild 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, March 20, 2010.
Participants can sign up online at www.inggeorgiamarathon.com or mail in
registration forms to US Road Sports & Entertainment of Georgia LLC at 528
Plasters Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.
"The ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon raises more than $300,000 for
charities each year," said Founder and CEO of US Road Sports and
Entertainment Group, Greg Laird. "Accomplishing a goal that you never
thought was possible is what the ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon is
all about. That is why we are excited to help organizations like the Raisin
Hope Foundation, and we feel it is important for the race to continue to
raise money for great causes like these."
"Running in the ING Georgia Marathon means so much to me. I just want
people to know that no matter how hard things get they should never give up
hope," said founder of the Raisin Hope Foundation, Saul Raisin. "I mean
look at me. Doctors said that that I would never be able to walk again, and
I’m running my second marathon and participating in one my home state’s
biggest races."
Native to Dalton, GA, Raisin and his family launched the Raisin Hope
Foundation after Raisin crashed while riding his bike at a full sprint in
the closing stretch of the first stage of the Circuit de la Sarthe in
Northern France on April 4, 2006. The crash sent Raisin into a deep coma
from which he awoke six days later, paralyzed on the left side of his body.
The foundation was established thereafter to raise funding for brain injury
research, and to promote public awareness and understanding for people with
disability as a result of brain injury.
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