FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Koch
Highland PR
(330) 996-4140
Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K, Cleveland Department of Public Health
and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Partner to Promote Children's Health and Fitness
Rapid Rise in Childhood Obesity Threatening
to Reverse Life Expectancy Trends
CLEVELAND, Ohio - (April 26, 2005) - The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K
is joining with the Cleveland Department of Public Health and marathon
sponsor, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, to promote fitness and health,
particularly among children.
"Obesity, and the health risks associated with it, is fast becoming the
number one health problem among children," said Matt Carroll, director of
the Cleveland Department of Public Health. "Obesity is known to increase
the risk of heart disease and cancer, and the rise in childhood obesity has
already resulted in an unprecedented increase in type 2 diabetes in
children."
"If we want our youth to be physically fit, we must encourage them to
engage in daily physical activity and consume a nutritionally balanced
diet," said Dr. Alena Baquet-Simpson, Anthem's Ohio Medical Director. "The
Kids Run May 21, as part of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, is an
excellent target activity for children to prepare for - perhaps even
encouraging mom or dad to train alongside."
A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine concludes "that if
the current epidemic of child and adolescent obesity continues unabated,
life expectancy could be shortened by two to five years in the coming
decades."
"It is important that we all work together to address this important issue
of childhood health," said Jack Staph, executive director of the Rite Aid
Cleveland Marathon & 10K. "Our partnership with the city of Cleveland and
Anthem is a first step toward encouraging our young people to look at and
adopt healthier lifestyles."
When the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K first began, it was considered a
race for highly-trained, competitive, elite athletes. But now, after 27
years, it has gone through a cultural revolution and includes a majority of
typical, everyday runners who have become committed to health and fitness.
"We need to get our young people to adopt that same attitude before it's
too late," said Staph.
This collaboration will include a seminar designed specifically for
children and their parents to teach them about fitness and healthy eating
habits. As part of the partnership, the Cleveland Department of Public
Health will be promoting the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Kid's Run on
Saturday, May 21 among children and their parents in the city. The race is
open to children up to 12 years of age. They will run in age divisions with
11 to 12 year olds and 9 to 10 year olds running ½ mile; 7 to 8 year olds
running ¼ mile, 4 to 6 year olds running 100 yards and children 3 and under
running 50 yards. Each child will receive a t-shirt and a medal.
About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K
The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K - slated for Sunday, May 22 - is now
in its 28th year of providing a running experience for all individuals who
want to participate regardless of their abilities. More than 250,000
runners have participated, generating more than $6.8 million annually to
benefit the Cleveland community and raising more than $1 million for
various charities.
Sponsors of the 28th Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K include:
Rite Aid, Alpine Springs Natural Spring Water, American Greetings, Miller
Brewing, Lamisil Tablets, Carb Boom Energy Gel, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue
Shield, Hershey's Payday Pro, Coca-Cola, Sports Health/Cleveland Clinic,
ASICS, Galleria at Erieview, Powerade, Panera Bread, WKYC-TV3, WAKS Kiss
96.5 FM, WGAR 99.5 FM, WMJI Magic 105.7 FM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WMVX Mix 106.5
FM and WTAM 1100 AM
For more information, visit the race website at: www.ClevelandMarathon.com.
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