FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Running for A Cause at The Miami Marathon
Nearly 35% of Runners Will Raise Millions for More Than 40 Charities
MIAMI, Fl. (January 15, 2015) - Team Lifeline was born when 26 men got
together in New York 10 years ago and decided to take a trip to Miami to
run in the Miami Marathon and use the race as a fundraiser for Chai
Lifeline, an organization that raises money to help children with cancer
and other life threatening diseases.
This year and $13.5 million later, more than 400 runners will race in the
Jan. 25 Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, produced by Life Time - The
Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE: LTM), under the Team Lifeline banner. In
2015, the organization hopes to raise at least $1.4 million, which will
allow more than 400 children to attend Camp Simcha summer camp in Glen
Spey, NY.
While Team Lifeline has grown into the largest charity partner in the
history of the Miami Marathon, it is one of more than 40 charity
organizations with teams at the starting line; each making a massive impact
on the lives of many while runners navigate the streets of South Florida.
"Nearly 35% of Miami Marathon participants are running for a greater
cause," said Javier Sanchez, Miami Marathon race director. "Together we're
utilizing the outreach of this internationally recognized event to help
promote associated charitable groups and their causes. We look forward to
the continued growth of the groups program within the event and welcome
newly formed groups each and every year."
Other charities involved in this year's marathon include:
- Achilles International, which aides athletes with disabilities
- Team World Vision, which runs for clean water in Africa
- Team Challenge, which supports finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis
- Team in Training which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Team Yachad, which helps Jewish people with disabilities
- Friendship Circle, which creates meaningful relationships between teen
volunteers and children with special needs.
"I think the greatest piece about it is that for the people running it
makes the race more than just about themselves," said Moshe Turk, race
director for Team Lifeline. "They are getting fit and trying to have a
successful race, but are also empowered on behalf of these sick children or
other causes they support. It helps them dig deep. They are feeling sick.
They can't go another mile. But then they think about the kids they are
running for. They push for the finish line."
At Team Lifeline, each runner commits to a minimum fund raising goal of
$3,600. They take donations from their personal network in support of the
effort and many obviously exceed the $3600 goal. Benefits for being part of
the team include access to coaching and training videos as well as
roundtrip air and hotel in Miami. Runners come from across the United
States and Canada and as far away as Israel.
It's a model that works well as evidence by the several million dollars
that will be raised during next week's race.
There's still time to register for the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon at
themiamimarathon.com.
Marathon Registration is $155 through January 18 and then $175. Half
Marathon registration is $130 through January 18 and then $150.
About the Miami Marathon
The Miami Marathon is Florida's elite distance race with 25,000 runners
representing all 50 states and over 105 countries converging on Miami and
South Beach to experience one of the most unique courses in the world. The
race has come a long way since 3,400 runners participated in the first
Miami Marathon in 2003. Participants include elite runners, top age-group
competitors, and many thousands who run for charity and to achieve their
own personal goals. Together they enjoy the tropical views and the sounds
of South Florida, with a diverse array of entertainment blended into the
experience, and generate more than $50 million in total economic impact for
the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM) helps
organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health
objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their
areas of interest - or discovering new passions - both inside and outside
of Life Time's distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family
recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. The Company's Healthy Way of Life approach enables
customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places
of uncompromising quality and value. As of January 6, 2015, the Company
operated 113 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC®
brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life
Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.
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