Joan Benoit Samuelson and Marla Runyan Join Northside and Southside Marathon Teams for Official Pre-Race 'Rally'
October 06 2004 - 10:07AM
PR Newswire (US)
Joan Benoit Samuelson and Marla Runyan Join Northside and Southside
Marathon Teams for Official Pre-Race 'Rally' Teams Race for
Refurbished Parks and Nike Footwear for Their Community; Fans Can
Support Their Side at http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago CHICAGO,
Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- So which is it, the North or the South? On
October 10, 2004, two teams of local Chicagoans competing marathon
weekend will answer this question and be rewarded a big payoff for
their community - a refurbished park and Nike footwear. But they
need help from their fellow Chicagoans to make it happen. The two
teams of Northside and Southside runners selected by Nike must do
their best to convince their fans to cast their votes of support
online at http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago or at the NIKETOWN
Runner's Lounge. Votes can be cast in the days leading up to and
during marathon weekend. At the end of the competition, the votes
will be tallied and $100,000 worth of running shoes will be
distributed to Chicago Park District. The percentage breakdown for
donation to the north and south side will be based on the total
votes tallied. In addition, Nike will donate resources, including
Nike employee volunteer time, to refurbish a park chosen by the
overall winning team and located in their half of town. This
donation is a part of NikeGO, a national program offering thousands
of children, ages 8-15 the support and motivation to become
physically active, stay healthy and have fun. "This is a fun way
for runners to achieve their personal best on race day while
showing their Chicago spirit," says Andrea Fairchild, Nike Brand
Marketing Director for Chicago. "It's also a great opportunity for
all Chicagoans to help their communities stay active." The two
teams will gather for a pre-race rally at Niketown Chicago, joined
by Joan Benoit Samuelson and Marla Runyan, on Friday, October 8 at
12 noon. Samuelson is this year's race commentator and one of the
all-time great marathoners the world has ever seen. Winner of the
first Olympic women's marathon (1984), Samuelson set an American
record at the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:21:21 (1985), which
she held for 15 years. She still holds the American record at the
25K with a time of 1:24:43 (1986). Legally blind, Marla Runyan was
the first-ever Paralympian to compete in the Olympic games (2000).
Runyan was one of the top finishers in her Marathon debut at the
NYC Marathon with a time of 2:27:10 (2002), and set a new American
record of 1:05:52 with her win at the New Haven 200K US
Championships (2003). For more information on the North and South
teams, visit http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago. NIKETOWN Runner's
Lounge 669 N. Michigan Ave. Thursday, October 7: 10 AM - 8 PM
Friday, October 8: 10 AM - 9 PM Saturday, October 9: 9 AM - 6 PM
About NikeGO NikeGO is Nike's long-term commitment to promote
healthier kids through physical activity. The program's mission is
to reach kids ages 8-15, offering them the support and motivation
to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. For more
information about NikeGO and to obtain a copy of the NikeGO Annual
Report, visit http://www.nikego.com/. About NIKE, Inc. NIKE, Inc.
based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer,
marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel,
equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness
activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc.,
which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel
and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and
distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan(R) a leading designer
and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats;
Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes
action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories
and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic
footwear and apparel for the value retail channel. DATASOURCE:
NIKE, Inc. CONTACT: Anna Schneider of Fleishman-Hillard,
+1-312-751-3522, +1-312-545-4172 - cell, or Maggie Mahler, of Nike
USA, +1-503-671-3289, Web site: http://www.nikerunning.com/chicago
http://www.nikego.com/
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