FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ian Monahan
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
858-450-6510
Or
Gabriella Citrin
Foot Locker
212-720-3752
Marathoners Represent San Diego Communities in
Foot Locker County Challenge at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 30, 2007) -- What do a cancer survivor, Navy ER
doctor, warehouse manager, Naval officer, accounting manager and human
resources manager all have in common? A love for running, of course. Six
diverse runners from San Diego County will join to run as a competitive
team in the Foot Locker County Challenge presented by Sugoi at the 10th
anniversary Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on Sunday, June 3.
The Foot Locker County Challenge is a program in which six local residents,
three men and three women, are selected to represent their communities
within San Diego County during the marathon. The competitors were chosen by
Foot Locker to train and run the marathon as a team, but for only half of
the marathon. At mile 13, the real race begins as the team diverges to
compete for the title of Foot Locker County Challenge Champion by finishing
the race in the fastest time.
The winner receives a prize package including a Tiffany & Co. trophy and a
two-night stay at a San Diego resort that will be presented at the
post-race concert featuring SEAL at COX Arena. All of the athletes will
receive VIP treatment on race day and at the post-race concert, and will be
introduced at the elite athlete press conference on Friday, June 1, 2007 at
the "Health & Fitness Expo" inside the San Diego Convention Center.
All of the runners, who each average an 8:30 min./mile, were strangers
until they were selected for the Foot Locker County Challenge. In the weeks
leading up to the marathon, the runners will meet to train, lend support
and trade running tips.
The Foot Locker County Challenge participants are:
Runners' contact information for interviews furnished upon request. Contact
Ian Monahan – 858/450-6510
Natasha Sandrock, female, 39, San Diego
Occupation – Regional Human Resources Manager
Natasha began racing five years ago after her husband passed away suddenly,
and she thanks running for helping heal her. She ran her first Rock 'n'
Roll Marathon to feel closer to her husband who had always said he would
run with her in spirit. Five years, and a long hard journey later, she is
back to run it again. Natasha has an impressive marathon history; running
on Mount Everest and the Great Wall of China (which included 3,700 stairs).
Running helped her to realize that "life is a journey – not a destination."
April Kotteles, female, 28, San Diego
Occupation - Accounting Manager
April is running the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon to support her fiance who is
out on deployment in South America. He has organized a Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon to be conducted on treadmills on board his ship on the same day,
at the same time. April says, "If he can do it out there in the heat and on
a treadmill, then I can support him here in San Diego!"
Julie Juaire, female, 47, Mission Valley
Occupation – Elementary School Librarian
A mother of two, Julie is an avid runner and will be running her 7th Rock
'n' Roll Marathon. She began running at the age of 40 after being diagnosed
with and surviving cancer. During her treatment she made a list of things
to do before she died and running a marathon became a priority. She has run
for Team in Training twice, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society.
Robert Kearney, male, 45, Chula Vista
Occupation – Warehouse Manager
On June 3, Robert will celebrate the completion of 262 musical miles at the
10th Anniversary Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. He is one of 146 participants who
have completed every Rock 'n' Roll Marathon since its inception in 1998. He
began running to shed some pounds and has since run 18 marathons across the
U.S. Several years ago, Robert was injured in a serious car accident and
had to undergo an operation last year. This year, there are no obstacles in
his way, and he plans to beat his best time of 3:54.
Blaine Laurion, male, 39, Spring Valley
Occupation – U.S. Navy
After two separate deployments to Iraq where he trained on a treadmill,
Blaine is happy to be back home and running on U.S. soil. Blaine began
running in high school, but took a 13-year break after joining the Navy.
Six years ago, he ran his first marathon and since has started half
marathon training programs among friends and co-workers. He now motivates
others to get in shape by encouraging them to join his running circles.
Martin Makela, male, 45, San Diego
Occupation – Navy Physician
Martin just returned from a seven-month deployment where he ran two
marathons from his base in Iraq. After putting on 20 pounds during his
fourth year as a med student, he decided to take up running to get back
into shape. Martin is an Emergency Room doctor who values his runs for it
is his down time at the end of a hectic day. He has run five marathons and
this will be his first Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Robert has three teenagers
who will be cheering him on at the finish line.
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