FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Winitz
San Francisco Marathon Media Coordinator
Win-It!z Sports Public Relations
(650) 948-0618 - Direct
THE SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON REACHES OUT TO INNER CITY YOUTH
Marathon Offers Free Training Program for Underprivileged Children
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (May 7, 2007) - The San Francisco Marathon(tm)
announced today that it has launched its RunSFM(tm) Youth Outreach
program. The inaugural program allows San Francisco's underprivileged
youth, ages 7 to 17, to train for, and participate in, the marathon's
signature Progressive Marathon race without cost. Progressive Marathon
participants run or walk a full marathon (26.2 miles) during a period of
weeks or months. They finish their final 3.1 miles on San Francisco
Marathon race day in the marathon's companion 5K Run/Walk. The 2007
Annual San Francisco Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, July 29.
Participation in the 8-week youth training program and the Progressive
Marathon is free for local youth, and their San Francisco-based youth
clubs. All participants in RunSFM Youth Outreach receive free race
registration, an official RunSFM T-shirt, and a finisher's medal. In
addition, nutrition and fitness seminars are offered.
"The organizers of The San Francisco Marathon are excited about joining a
growing number of major road races in focussed efforts to promote youth
fitness," said Meghan Steed, Director of RunSFM Youth Outreach programs.
"We're reaching out to the children of families who might not otherwise
be able to afford to register for a running race. By partnering with
local youth organizations we're hoping to help address issues of
childhood obesity, and to show youngsters how to set and achieve goals in
a fun way."
The marathon offers a unique way to support its youth running program
through Cause to Run(tm), the event's successful fund-raising program
that has raised over $2 million for local charities. Cause to Run
encourages race entrants to support any of the marathon's more than 30
official charity organizations. This year, any race participant who wants
to support RunSFM Youth Outreach can sign up for a special Cause to Run
team dedicated to RunSFM Youth Outreach. Additionally, through the San
Francisco Marathon's official training program coached by Athletic
Endurance(tm), runners can elect to raise money for youth outreach in
exchange for a free 21-week training program. Charitable donors can also
support RunSFM Youth Outreach, or any Cause to Run charity, without
entering the marathon or companion events.
"We expect to raise over $1 million this year for our local charities,"
said Steed. "Now, the RunSFM Youth Outreach program gives folks yet
another avenue for charitable giving through the San Francisco Marathon's
Cause to Run program while providing children with a sound physical
education program."
All kids enrolled in RunSFM Youth Outreach, and all adults who sign up
for the RunSFM Youth Outreach Team, will receive a training plan, expert
coaching advice, and organized workouts through Athletic Endurance.
Athletic Endurance's training programs are designed by Julie Fingar, an
accomplished marathoner and ultra runner. Fingar is a four-time
sub-24-hour finisher of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, and a
two-time champion of the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Endurance Run. Athletic
Endurance's coaches will implement the 8-week youth program throughout
the city of San Francisco starting June 4, 2007.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
prevalence of overweight children of ages 6 to 11 has more than doubled
in the past 20 years, increasing from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004. In
addition, the Centers report that regular physical activity in childhood
and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy
bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress,
increases self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol
levels. Plus, positive experiences with physical activity at a young age
help lay the basis for being regularly active throughout life.
In other San Francisco Marathon news:
The marathon offers its RunSFM official training program to all entrants
who are preparing for The San Francisco Marathon(tm) and the Choose Your
Half(tm) events. The training regimen is offered through Athletic
Endurance.
Not ready or inclined to run a marathon or half marathon in a single
effort? The San Francisco Marathon gives San Francisco government
employees a discounted entry for the Progressive Marathon through San
Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Shape Up San Francisco Initiative.
Race organizers announced the event's 2007 sponsors. Returning sponsors
include JetBlue Airways, CytoSport, and Organs 'R' Us. New sponsors for
2007 include Saturn, WaMu, Hint Water, CLIF Bar, CLIF Bar Pace Teams,
Athletic Endurance, and HerSports magazine.
"JetBlue Airways is proud to support the San Francisco Marathon for the
second consecutive year," said Mark Rogers, JetBlue's West Coast
Sponsorships and Events Coordinator. "Our new non-stop service from New
York (JFK), Salt Lake City, and Boston to San Francisco will provide
runners coming from out of town an unparalleled customer experience
including our various in-flight amenities."
###
|
