FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHL Legend Mark Messier Glides Toward Different Type of Goal:
Running the ING New York City Marathon 2011
Six-time Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Famer
Joins Field for November 6 Race
New York, October 13, 2011- Six-time Stanley Cup champion and captain of
the 1994 New York Rangers championship team Mark Messier will run the ING
New York City Marathon 2011 on Sunday, November 6. The announcement was
made at an event at the Empire State Building for The New York Police &
Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund – one of the charities that Messier
is running to support.
The Hockey Hall of Famer joins a line-up of other sports stars running the
marathon, including two-time U.S. Olympian softball pitcher Jennie Finch,
running with Timex, and eight-time U.S. Olympic medalist in short-track
speed skating Apolo Ohno, running with Subway. Past ice legends that have
run the ING New York City Marathon include former Rangers player and 1994
Stanley Cup championship team member Adam Graves (4:27:32) in 2006, former
Rangers goalie and 1994 Stanley Cup championship team member Mike Richter
(3:54:34) in 2007, and U.S. Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen (3:41:43) and
National Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine (4:27:08) in 2009.
Messier is running the marathon in support of two causes – Tomorrows
Children's Fund and Answer the Call.
"I am truly honored to represent two charities I am deeply committed to,
Tomorrow's Children Fund and Answer the Call, by running in this year's New
York City Marathon," said Messier. "The year of training has afforded me
the opportunity to reflect on my commitment to both of these important
causes and has cemented my resolve to help ensure that the men, women, and
children have the support that they need to live fulfilling lives."
Messier, considered one of the greatest NHL players of all time, is
currently special assistant to the president and general manager of the New
York Rangers-the team that he led in 1994 to their first Stanley Cup title
in 54 years. Messier is the second leading scorer in NHL history with 1,887
points (693 goals, 1,194 assists), trailing just Wayne Gretzky (2,857), and
the only player in NHL history to captain two different teams to Stanley
Cup titles (Rangers and Edmonton Oilers).
"We're ecstatic to welcome Mark this year as he trades his skates for
running sneakers," said New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary
Wittenberg. "Mark is a hockey legend, among the great leaders in sports
history, and a real New York icon. He'll be an inspiration to all on
November 6."
To support Mark Messier in the ING New York City Marathon 2011 and
Tomorrows Children's Fund, please visit
https://atcfkid.ejoinme.org/MyPages/MarkMessierNYCMarathon/tabid/320470/Def
ault.aspx.
Anyone can be a part of Team Messier and Answer The Call with the Captain
by texting ANSWER THE CALL to 20222 to make a $10 donation. For more
information visit www.answerthecall.org.
New York Road Runners
Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to
advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and
meeting our community's needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in
our 52-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives
through participation in our races, community events, instruction and
training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw
more than 300,000 people each year. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR's
premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world,
attracting the world's top professional runners every year and raising
nearly $25 million for charity in 2009. NYRR's running-based youth
programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of
schools and community centers, promote children's health and fitness,
character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities.
For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
The ING New York City Marathon
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon
is one of the world's great road races, drawing some 140,000 applicants.
The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the
$650,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media
capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and a worldwide
broadcast reach of 330 million. As any one of the more than 875,000 past
participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one
of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit
www.ingnycmarathon.org.
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