FOR A CAUSE – JOIN THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHICAGO
TEAM
CHICAGO (June 20, 2011) – – Athletes across the country are invited to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for an incredible cause by joining the Special Olympics Chicago team. This year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011, is already sold out, but athletes still have the opportunity to run the race by joining the Special Olympics Chicago team.
To participate, athletes must register to run for the Chicago Marathon by June 30. Runners who register between now and June 30 can register to win a Bank of America Chicago Marathon pole banner, autographed by the Marathon champions which will include a personal message to the winner of the banner. Special Olympics Chicago team members will also enjoy a number of benefits, including: waiver of the $145 Marathon fee; free training program with Chicago Endurance Sports (CES); a free trip to the 2011 Las Vegas Marathon/Half Marathon, for the top fundraiser; a tech training shirt; free race day parking for the top 25 fundraisers; indoor preparation facilities at the Chicago Firehouse on the morning of race day; free pre-race continental breakfast; free post-race beverages and massage at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant.
Last year, a team of more than 200 runners from across the United States joined the Special Olympics Chicago team and ran the 26.2 mile course throughout the city of Chicago.
Special Olympics Chicago has been a charitable partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon since 2009. In that short period of time, Special Olympics Chicago has catapulted to one of the top ten charities out of 125 participating non-profit organizations.
During the Marathon, Special Olympics Chicago will host a block party cheering station at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, which will be open to all team members.
Athletes who have already registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon can still join the Special Olympics Chicago team. Participants running for charities will receive a refund on their race entry ($135 value) as a benefit. For more information on the benefits of running with Special Olympics Chicago team, please visit www.sochicago.org
ABOUT SCC/SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHICAGO:
The Special Olympics Chicago program is the largest in the State of Illinois. The Chicago Program alone is larger than 26 other complete State programs. Chicago is the birthplace of Special Olympics and is now held in over 150 countries, worldwide.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children (ages 8 and older) and adults with mental disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. The program gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. In Chicago alone, more than 5,000 athletes are involved in the program.
Since 1969, Special Children’s Charities has been the fundraising co-sponsor of Special Olympics Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Special Children’s Charities mission statement is to promote, foster and encourage physical and mental health and improvement through athletics, recreational and social activities among youth and adults with disabilities.
About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 34th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 participants, including a world-class elite runner and wheelchair field, and an estimated 1.7 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, each year, the iconic race assists in raising millions for a variety of charitable causes while generating $150 million in economic impact to its host city according to a report by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.). The 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago’s Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on October 9. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on October 7-8.