FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ING New York City Marathon Charity Program
Aims to Raise $21 Million in 2009
Matthew Reeve to run in support of Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
New York, May 11, 2009-More than 6,000 runners representing more than 75
charities-both record numbers-aim to raise $21 million at the ING New York
City Marathon 2009, which would be an all-time high for the race, it was
announced today by New York Road Runners officials. The 40th running of the
race will be on Sunday, November 1.
Last year, $18.9 million was raised for the 41 charities included in the
official NYRR-managed charity program, and since the program's inception in
2006, nearly $50 million has been raised.
"Raising money for charities to make a difference in the lives of so many
is important to our organization," said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO
of New York Road Runners and race director of the ING New York City
Marathon. "It is our priority to help charities use the platform of the
marathon to raise money at a time when it's a challenge."
NYRR also joined the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation-a marathon
charity since 2006-in announcing that Matthew Reeve, son of the late
Christopher Reeve, will run the ING New York City Marathon 2009 as a part
of Team Reeve to support spinal cord research. Reeve, who will be running
in his first marathon, will wear bib #1275 to represent the 1.275 million
Americans living with spinal cord injury.
"Matthew's decision to run in the ING New York City Marathon epitomizes
everything this race is all about: the triumph of the human spirit against
all odds," Wittenberg said. "The first Sunday in November is always an
uplifting day, and we're thrilled to join Matthew in celebrating his first
marathon in New York."
New for 2009, NYRR has created the "partner" charity level, a mid-level
tier that provides charities with more entries and additional runner
amenities, such as a VIP bus to the marathon start and access to the new
"charity row" tents at the Fort Wadsworth staging area. Partner-level
charities will also receive advertising benefits in New York Runner
magazine and additional promotion on ingnycmarathon.org.
"Official" charities still refer to those affiliated with NYRR, including
NYRR Foundation's Team for Kids, NYRR's Champion's Circle, and Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Fred's Team. The "participating" charity
level is an entry-level tier that provides the basic elements of the
program.
New charities support community outreach, health and fitness, and disease
prevention initiatives. Some of the top charities added to the 2009 program
include Maasai Wilderness Conservation Fund, whose board president is the
actor Edward Norton; Grassroots Soccer, co-founded by Survivor winner Ethan
Zohn; the Leary Firefighters Association, founded by actor Denis Leary; and
Back on My Feet. Notable New York City charities added to the program
include Harlem United Community; Doe Fund - Ready, Willing, and Able;
Rotary Club of New York; and Girls on the Run Manhattan.
A list of the current 2009 charity partners is available at
www.ingnycmarathon.org/charities_index.htm.
New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, founded in 1958, is dedicated to promoting the sport
of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and responding
to community needs. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards
of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and website
support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of more
than 100, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City
Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and
cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong
identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic
status, attracting the world's top professional runners. Our youth programs
provide running to 50,000 schoolchildren in New York City, around the
country, and in South Africa who would otherwise have few or no fitness
opportunities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
The ING New York City Marathon
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon
is one of the world's great road races, drawing nearly 105,000 applicants.
The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the
more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the
media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and more
than 300 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the nearly
788,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central
Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit
www.ingnycmarathon.org.
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