Posted: September 12, 2005

Athletics: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Partners with Team in Training

Team In Training® Selects Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon As One Of Its 2006 Spring Events For Marathon And Half-Marathon Runners And Walkers

Runners Receive Free Race Entry Fee, Hotel and Meal Expenses For Raising Money To Support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

CLEVELAND (Sept. 12, 2005) – The 29th Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K has been selected as one of the Spring 2006 events to help raise money through Team in Training® (TNT), a program offered by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to runners and walkers from veterans to beginners. The Northern Ohio Chapter of TNT will launch its recruiting effort for the May 21, 2006 event at the end of this month.

“We’re excited to have the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on our event schedule for 2006,” said Tracy Srail, campaign director for the Northern Ohio Chapter. “Team In Training is a proven program that helps train runners and walkers for long distance events while at the same time helping to raise money to fund research as well as patient programs.” Each athlete agrees to raise a minimum of $1400 and the local chapter hopes to sign up more than 60 runners and walkers for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon in order to raise $100,000.

Team In Training® was founded in 1988 and offers a 16-to-20-week daily training schedule designed for everyone from novice to advanced athlete. Coaches work with participants on form and nutrition in addition to the training necessary to cross the finish line of a major endurance event. Those runners and walkers reaching or exceeding their fundraising goal get race registration, hotel stay, pre-race pasta dinner and post-race victory celebration provided by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“This is a win-win for everyone involved and meets our goals to give charities an opportunity to benefit financially from our event, and provide a running experience for all individuals who want to participate, regardless of their abilities,” said Jack Staph, executive director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K.

In addition to the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon in spring 2006, the Northern Ohio chapter of TNT will also be recruiting and training runners for the Country Music Marathon & Half Marathon in Nashville and the Wildflower Triathlon in Monterey, CA.

Athletes who sign up for Team In Training also receive fundraising materials, ideas and strategies including the opportunity to set up individual websites to help raise money and spread the word about Team In Training®.

Athletes can register for an information meeting or learn more by visiting the Team In Training® website at www.teamintraining.org or by calling (440) 617-CURE (2873) or toll free at (800) 589-5721. Runners and walkers can find additional information on the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K by visiting the website at www.clevelandmarathon.com.

About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K
The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K is now in its 29th 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.

Mission Statement:
• To provide a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities.
• To produce an event that highlights the Cleveland community and provides a positive economic impact for the community.
• To give charities an opportunity to benefit financially from the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K.

Source: Contact: Tom Koch, Highland Public Relations