JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 5, 2007 – The 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer kicked off its one-year countdown on Feb. 2 at Sneakers Sports Grille in Jacksonville Beach, unveiling the race route, schedule of events, training program, major sponsors and more.
The kick-off party began with the unveiling of the much-anticipated race route. On Feb.17, 2008, runners will begin the marathon on San Pablo Road near Mayo Clinic, head eastbound on John Turner Butler Boulevard and wind through the communities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach, before returning to San Pablo Road for the finish. A two-mile portion of the marathon will also be run on the white sandy beaches of Jacksonville Beach.
Also announced was the schedule of events for the long weekend surrounding the marathon, Thursday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, including an expo at the University of North Florida, medical lectures and symposium at Mayo Clinic, pasta dinner, concert and a golf tournament. More details about each of these events will be released in the coming months as the marathon approaches.
With more than a year until the inaugural running of the marathon, sponsors for 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer have already committed $1.5 million to the cause. Sponsors include Sanofi Aventis, premiere sponsor; Genentech, presenting sponsor; First Coast News, media sponsor; SEDA Construction Company, platinum sponsor; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen Oncology, and Clinical Insight, diamond sponsors; and Onyx, supporting sponsor. The Jax Striders Track Club will be an Aid Station sponsor and Citistreet is sponsoring two of the mile markers along the race route. Other local partners of the marathon include: PRI Productions, Inc., First Place Sports, Jeff Galloway’s Training Program, the Dalton Agency, City of Jacksonville, Interchanges.com, and Jacksonville Tourist Development Council.
“We’re humbled by the tremendous response we’ve received from all of our sponsors,” said Donna Hicken, race founder. “It's exciting to see so many well respected companies who believe in our vision for this race and this cause."
To encourage participation in the marathon and half-marathon, Event Director Jeff Galloway also announced today the unique training program he will offer beginning this summer. In 50 cities across the country, Galloway Training Groups will begin training to run the 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer. For individuals in an area without a training group, Galloway is also offering his renowned program, “Key is Training – Galloway Virtual Trainer Package” which includes a unique virtual trainer, training schedule of workouts designed by Galloway, and a guide book on training tips, what to eat, motivation training, shoes and more. The virtual training program is available online for $19.50 (a $50 value) for runners of the 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer.
“This kick-off party for the 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer begins our official countdown to the race, and our opportunity to make a real difference in the fight against breast cancer,” Hicken said. “The response we are seeing as we travel to race expos around the country has been nothing short of phenomenal. We just opened registration and we already have folks committed from all across the country and Canada! We are seeing strong indications that our goal of becoming a top tier marathon will be realized."
As the only national marathon dedicated solely to raising money to fight breast cancer, all race proceeds will go directly to The Donna Hicken Foundation, an entity which funds the critical needs of underserved women with breast cancer. The Foundation has pledged to donate the majority of funds raised to Mayo Clinic for research and its Breast Clinic, which specializes in the detection and treatment of breast cancer. For the latest information on 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer or to sign up to be one of our five-thousand volunteers, visit www.breastcancermarathon.com.
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