Running USA wire 12, February 5, 2012

GEICO partners on 15% savings from February 23 through March 6

QUANTICO, Va. - (Feb. 2, 2012) - Beginning at noon Eastern on Thursday, Feb. 23, all active duty and Reserve military members can receive a 15% savings for the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) that will be held on Oct. 28. Service members can register online during an exclusive two-week period through March 6, before the MCM opens to public registration on March 7.

Service members will pay $78.20 to register for a spot in the 37th MCM while saving $13.80 from the full registration cost of $92 per runner. MCM registration will be available through the website at www.marinemarathon.com.

The 15% percent discount is offered in partnership with MCM sponsor GEICO and reflects the company's popular slogan "15 minutes can save you 15 percent or more on car insurance." The company's military roots date back to 1936 when GEICO opened its doors as the Government Employees Insurance Company to provide low-cost and reliable auto insurance to government employees and enlisted military members.

"We are proud of that heritage," says Mike Baker, Director of GEICO's Military Department. "We are particularly proud to, once again, be associated with one of the nation's premier marathons, the Marine Corps Marathon. Whether you are active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired or a veteran, we appreciate what you have done for our nation's security."

After March 6, all military members will pay the full cost as part of public registration. The 37th MCM is expected to experience a rapid sellout as the MCM closed in just over 28 hours last year.

The 2012 MCM is open to 30,000 registered participants. The 26.2 mile event will start in Arlington, VA, run through Washington, DC and finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn, VA.

About the MCM: Voted the "Best Marathon for Families" and the "Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic", the Marine Corps Marathon honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Runners from all walks of life participate in the largest marathon not to offer prize money, earning the name "The People's Marathon". The 37th MCM will be held on October 28, 2012 in Arlington, VA.

15-week "Cleveland Marathon Rockers" program for half-marathon and 10K participants begins Feb. 1

CLEVELAND - (Feb. 2, 2012) - The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon has announced that Fleet Feet Cleveland, a running, walking and multi-sport store with two Cleveland locations, has been selected as the official training partner for participants in the Cleveland Marathon's half-marathon and 10K events.

The training program, called "Cleveland Marathon Rockers" program will consist of two weekly trainer-led runs, five clinics and a complete monthly training schedule. The program begins February 1, and sign-ups will be taken past that date.

"Fleet Feet Sports Cleveland has shown leadership and high quality in its running training programs, and we are excited to have them on board," said Jack Staph, Executive Race Director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. "Entering our Half Marathon and 10K races with the expert guidance of Fleet Feet Sports will help runners have greater success - and greater fun - when they participate in our events this May."

"We are thrilled to be chosen for our expertise in training people interested in running the Half Marathon and 10K at the Rite Aid Cleveland event," said Jody Herzog, owner of Fleet Feet Sports Cleveland. "The participants in our past running training programs have been very pleased with the results, and we are eager to help people tackle the specific 10K and Half Marathon distances. It is even more of an honor to do the Cleveland Marathon Rockers program for our home town."

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, celebrating its 35th annual running, offers the following opportunities for people to participate in the event: full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, full marathon walking division, half-marathon walking division, 10K walking division, 5K (run or walk) and Kids' Run. The events take place May 19 and 20, 2012.

There are also opportunities for non-profit organizations to raise funds through their participation in the race through Cleveland Marathon Charities, for which information can also be found on the marathon's website. More than 280,000 runners have participated in the event, generating more than $15 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community.

To register for any of the events, or learn more, go to: www.clevelandmarathon.com

Fitness and self-esteem program kicks off on February 8 at the John Muir Middle School in Los Angeles

INDIANAPOLIS - (February 2, 2012) - The USA Track & Field Foundation has announced the launching of "Run With US!" (RWUS!). A program to take place for kids during and after school, RWUS! combines fitness and goal setting to promote self-esteem and will be directed by Olympic athletes as teachers, mentors and role models.

Working with local non-profit "LA's Promise", the inaugural RWUS! program will be launched on February 8 at the John Muir Middle School in Los Angeles. Focused upon inner-city youth, the program has the overall goal of fighting the rising tide of childhood obesity and positively impacting kid's views of exercise and nutrition through the guidance of elite track and field athletes. The Gallup Corporation has agreed to work with the Foundation and will serve as the program's measurement partner.

The program will be led by Virginia Crawford and Ryan Wilson. Crawford, a 100-meter hurdler, is a two-time USA champion and four-time World Championships Team USA member. A 110m hurdler, Wilson is the 2003 NCAA champion and 2008 World Indoor Championships bronze medalist.

"This program is unique in that it supports our elite athletes while giving kids the chance to work directly with our stars of the sport," said Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic. "We are also very fortunate to have quality individuals like Ryan and Ginnie to lead our pilot program."

Joining Crawford and Wilson in the program's launch will be 2011 World Outdoor Championships gold medalist and 2011 Jesse Owens Award winner Carmelita Jeter, other elite athletes, members of the USATF Foundation Board of Directors, local media and other dignitaries.

The foundation expects to initiate RWUS! programs in several additional locations in 2012.

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit: www.usatffoundation.org

Event to benefit Wounded Warrior Project and Gunnery Sergeant John Hayes; unique race medal for 8K

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. - (February 3, 2012) - The Freedom Marathon, Inc. has announced the 2nd Freedom 8K Race / Walk and the Freedom Mile (Kids' Warrior Trot) is set for Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012. The Freedom 8K will begin at 8:00am (soft start at 7:55am for the Wheelchair Division), followed by the Freedom Mile (Kids' Warrior Trot) at 10:00am. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Gunnery Sergeant John Hayes. Gunnery Sergeant Hayes is a double leg amputee wounded in Afghanistan in 2010 and continues his recovery at Walter Reed National Medical Center.

"As a runner and marathoner, I understand the importance of having a great medal for race / walk participants. We wanted a medal, once again, that was truly one of a kind and expressed the significance of this race," said Manny Cordero, CEO and Founder, Freedom Marathon, Inc. "Our goal is to make this medal something our runners will be proud of and a reminder that we have not forgotten the sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made for this country."

This medal is different than any other on the racing circuit. The Green Cove Springs Freedom 8K is an extremely detailed three dimensional medal encrusted with a crystal. This medal hangs from a heat transferred ribbon which is made to resist smearing and heat which provides for a higher quality of graphics. Every registered individual who completes the 8K will receive this medal along with a technical short sleeve shirt and a backpack.

Freedom Marathon, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and engage the public through running and walking to support the needs of veterans and their families, delivering a message of hope and assuring them that America has not forgotten their sacrifices. There are no dues or fees to join Freedom Marathon, Inc. We believe those are paid on the battlefield and in service to our Country. Freedom Marathon, Inc. believes the greatest casualty is forgetting our Veterans. We will also support local charitable municipality initiatives critical to the vitality of the region.

Event will celebrate the fun of fitness, improve our health, and support a great cause in a great city.

Registration and more information at: www.FreedomMarathon.org