Runners invited to take strides to raise funds at 14th Annual Lehigh River Relay Run
News Release: May 27, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Runners of all abilities are invited to make strides to raise funds for the American Red Cross at the 14th Annual Red Cross Lehigh River Relay Run on Sunday, July 18. Proceeds from the event benefit the programs and services of the local Red Cross chapter which serves Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.
“Last year, more than $22,000 was raised through corporate sponsorships and runner pledges. That financial contribution was a much-needed boost as we faced a record number of disasters in the Greater Lehigh Valley and expended 2-1/2 times our budgeted disaster assistance funding last year,” said John Hughes, executive director. “Funds raised through events like this provide disaster relief assistance – clothing, shoes, meals, coats, lodging, medication replacement and more – to families whose lives are drastically changed by a house fire or other emergency.”
More than 700 runners are expected to participate in the 23-mile team relay and iron division run that begins at Canal Park in Allentown, winds through Bethlehem and finishes in
Easton’s Riverside Park. Relay distances vary from 3.38 miles to 5 miles. Iron participants run the entire 23 miles.
Entry fee for the race is based on a pledge format, allowing participants to solicit support from friends, neighbors and co-workers. Minimum pledge is $150 per team and $50 per iron division runner, if received by June 11. After June 11, the minimum pledge is $175 per team and $60 per iron division runner. No registrations will be accepted after July 16. Prizes will be awarded to the team and individual raising the most money.
Awards will be presented in 19 team relay division categories and six iron runner categories following the race at about 10:30 a.m. at Easton’s Riverside Park. Beginning this year, the names of the overall winning team relay members and first-place male and female iron runners will be engraved on a plaque that will be hung at the Red Cross.
All runners and volunteers will receive a T-shirt and other items. Iron runner finishers will receive a medal. Food and beverages will be provided at the finish line. Race entry forms are available online at www.redcrosslv.org and at area running stores, athletic clubs, sports stores and colleges and universities.
About 100 volunteers are needed to ensure the safety and success of this event. Volunteer activities include stuffing of race packets, serving water and sports drinks to runners along the course, acting as directional guides for runners, setting up of the food court, assisting in race timing and results tallying, assisting with parking and cleanup.
Major sponsors of this year’s race include GEICO, The Hawk 99.9., The Morning Call, Global Environmental Technologies, PPL Corp. and its affiliates, The Express-Times/The Allentown Times, Lehigh Valley Road Runners, Health Network Laboratories, Runner’s World and Coca-Cola.
Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call Paula Marinkovits at (610) 865-4400, ext. 259, or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information about the local Red Cross or volunteer opportunities, visit www.redcrosslv.org.
