FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrity Runners Bring Hollywood Pace to ING New York City Marathon 2011
Television stars Michael K. Williams and Paul Sparks of Boardwalk Empire,
model/founder of Every Mother Counts Christy Turlington Burns, culinary
masters Joe Bastianich, Richard Blais, and Nate Appleman join field for
November 6 race
New York, September 29, 2011- Celebrity runners Michael K. Williams and Paul
Sparks of Boardwalk Empire, model/founder of Every Mother Counts Christy
Turlington Burns and culinary masterminds Joe Bastianich, Richard Blais, and
Nate Appleman are part of a renowned roster of runners in the ING New York
City Marathon 2011 on Sunday, November 6, it was announced today by New York
Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
Previously announced celebrity runners include two-time U.S. Olympian
softball pitcher Jennie Finch running for Timex, and eight-time U.S. Olympic
medalist in short-track speed skating Apolo Ohno running for Subway.
"We love star power in our marathon. It helps spread the story of the power
of the marathon, and the benefits of running. We are excited to welcome an
enthusiastic and eclectic group of celebrity runners this year," said
Wittenberg. "Our celebrities are championing important causes and inspiring
others as they take on the ultimate challenge of the marathon."
This year's celebrity squad features more than 15 personalities from sports
and film to music and food. They come from all walks of fame, but on
November 6, they'll be giving people a run for their money - literally. Most
of the stars are running in support of one of the more than 200 charities
involved in this year's ING New York City Marathon's charity program. This
year's charity campaign aims to raise more than $26.2 million. In 2010, more
than $30 million was raised.
"As a chef and father of two young children, health and nutrition is a huge
part of my life," said Blais, winner of Top Chef All-Stars season 8. "I am
excited to be working together with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
to promote the importance of health, fitness, and general well-being for
today's kids. Plus, this will be my very first marathon! I hope we get tons
of support."
All celebrity participants:
-Stephanie Abrams, meteorologist for The Weather Channel
-Gbenga Akinnagbe, actor - The Wire, The Taking of Pelham 123 (All For
Africa)
-Nate Appleman, chef/TV personality - Chopped All-Stars (IMG)
-Joe Bastianich, restaurateur, winemaker and judge on MasterChef (Grana
Padano)
-Dr. Andy Baldwin, reality star - The Bachelorette (ING)
-Richard Blais, chef/TV personality - Top Chef All-Stars (Alliance for a
Healthier Generation)
-Jennie Finch, U.S. Olympian/Softball (Timex)
-Mýa, Grammy Award-Winning Artist (North Shore Animal League America)
-Apolo Ohno, U.S. Olympian/short-track speed skating (Subway)
-Shonda Schilling, wife of former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling and New York
Times bestselling author (Autism Speaks)
-Paul Sparks, actor - Boardwalk Empire (JDRF)
-Ivy Stark, Corporate Executive Chef of Dos Caminos
-Ryan Sutter, reality star - Inside Endurance (Gatorade)
-Christy Turlington Burns, model/founder, Every Mother Counts (Every Mother
Counts)
-Michael K. Williams, actor - The Wire, Boardwalk Empire (Harlem United)
-Edwin van der Sar, retired Manchester United goalie (ASICS)
-Veronica Webb, model/actress (Harlem United)
-Ethan Zohn, reality star - Amazing Race, Survivor: Africa champion, and
co-founder, Grassroot Soccer (Grassroot Soccer)
New York Road Runners
Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to
advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and
meeting our community's needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in
our 52-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives
through participation in our races, community events, instruction and
training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw
more than 300,000 people each year. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR's
premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world,
attracting the world's top professional runners every year and raising
$30.8 million for charity in 2010. NYRR's running-based youth programs,
which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and
community centers, promote children's health and fitness, character
development, and personal achievement in underserved communities. 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 some 140,000 applicants.
The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the
$650,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media
capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and a worldwide
broadcast reach of 330 million. As any one of the more than 875,000 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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