For Immediate Release Contact: Susan Makarichev
1-212-981-5243
or
Karen Versoza
1-212-981-5214
P. 'Diddy' It
Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs Ran the City
Finishing the ING New York City Marathon
In 4 Hours 14 Minutes and 54 Seconds,
Raising Two Million Dollars
To Benefit Children's Charities
NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Musician, fashion designer and
entrepreneur Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs finished what he started when he
completed the 2003 ING New York City Marathon in 4 hours 14 minutes and 54
seconds -- beating Oprah Winfrey's personal best time of 4 hours and 29
minutes -- and raising two million dollars for charities dedicated to
improving the lives of New York City children. Combs' two million dollars
is double what the mogul initially sought to raise and will be divided
among the Children's Hope Foundation, Daddy's House Social Programs and the
public schools of New York City.
Throughout the marathon, fans lined the course and cheered on as Combs ran,
some even jumping in to run alongside him to offer words of encouragement
and support. In spite of his short training time and an injured right knee,
Combs completed the race as throngs of cheering fans, family and friends
greeted him at the finish line.
"I want to thank the people of New York City who came out in droves to
support me in every borough," said Combs. "The ING New York City Marathon
is an unbelievable experience -- both physically and mentally and I'm so
blessed to have finished it and shared the experience with so many
wonderful people."
For the last month, Combs has been training and campaigning to raise funds
and awareness of the education and health issues facing the children of New
York City. His efforts have included a 16-hour radio telethon on New York's
Hot 97 which raised more than $250,000 alone, a special treadmill telethon
on MTV's "Total Request Live," a pre-marathon fundraising pasta dinner, as
well as several personal appearances. He has made special guest appearances
on his 24-hour fundraising hotline 877-RUN-DIDDY and website
www.diddyrunsthecity.com and directed a two-part, 90 minute special for MTV
chronicling his training, preparation and fundraising efforts, as well as
the race and its aftermath. The first installment aired on October 30,
while the second is slated to air on November 8th, and a special
rebroadcast of the full 90 minute special will be shown on MTV throughout
the weekend of Thanksgiving.
Combs was helped in his efforts by an all-star roster of corporate partners
including Advent Capital Management, Breathe Right, David Barton Gym, Foot
Locker, Hot 97, McDonald's, MTV, Newmark Realty, Nike, Pepsi, Pinnacle
Vitamins, Power 105, Sean John, Time Warner, Viacom, WKTU, Xbox and Z100.
About the Charities
Founded in 1986 by Steven Fisch, the Children's Hope Foundation, is a
volunteer-driven organization (more than 9,000 dedicated volunteers) that
improves the quality of life for over 17,000 HIV/AIDS-affected children,
teens and families by meeting their medical and social needs. Working in
partnership with more than 120 medical facilities and community-based
organizations in the New York area, Children's Hope Foundation responds
with innovative and practical solutions to unmet needs of communities
hardest hit by AIDS.
Many of the New York City Public Schools are under-resourced and outdated
with over sixty percent of the students in grades 3 through 8 reading below
grade level. For many of these students, the problem is due in part to the
limited amount of resources, books, and technology available to them at
school. Based on the rate of funding provided by New York State, it takes
schools upwards of 20 years to purchase the appropriate number of books to
fill their libraries, at which point, the books are outdated.. In addition
to purchasing books, schools desperately need to purchase periodicals,
technology, software and furniture.
Daddy's House Social Programs was founded by Combs in 1995 and operates
under Executive Director Sister Souljah, a rapper, activist and author.
Daddy's House Social Programs offers innovative and comprehensive services
to youth through a variety of programs, from Daddy's House Weekend Boys and
Girls Clubs, which provides academic tutoring and life skills for more than
800 students every weekend, to Daddy's House International Travel Groups,
which offers outstanding students a chance to travel around the world
learning about trade, culture, commerce, and international relations.
Web site: www.diddyrunsthecity.com/
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