Posted: April 2, 2007

Athletics (RWire): Avon Foundation Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence Expands Through Inaugural Partnership with Relays

Events slated for AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, NC, NH, NV, OH, TX, VA, VT, WI NEW YORK - (March 27, 2007) - Domestic violence affects 1 in 3 women, and up to 10 million children witness domestic violence annually. The Avon Foundation is increasing its efforts to end the cycle of domestic violence with the expansion of a Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence National Relay Series, which will raise lifesaving funds and awareness to help children and families affected by domestic violence through relay races across the country. The Avon Foundation is launching partnerships with a dozen relay races coast-to-coast and thousands of participants will raise funds for the important cause of domestic violence. Funds raised will be focused on helping children and families affected by domestic violence, with grants awarded to a domestic violence organization in the race community. The Avon Foundation will also produce the second annual Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence, its anchor event in Westchester and Rockland Counties, NY. The newly expanded Avon Foundation Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence National Relay Series includes relays across the country, encompassing events in thirteen states covering a total of over 1,600 miles from February through October. Runners are dedicating their race participation to raise funds to support a national grant program to help children and families affected by domestic violence. Top fundraisers can win great prizes, including free 2008 team registration to the 2007 relay in which they participated. The complete schedule of this unique National Relay Series includes the following: * Crazylegz Running Relay-Orlando (FL), Feb. 24 * Wild Miles Adventure Relay (CA), Apr. 28-29 * Beach to Bay Relay (TX), May 19 * Green Mountain Relay (VT), June 2-3 * Great Midwest Relay (WI / IL), June 8-9 * Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure (NV / CA), June 29-30 * Wild West Relay (CO), Aug. 3-4 * Blue Ridge Relay (VA), Sept. 7-8 * Reach the Beach Relay (NH), Sept. 14-15 * Road Runner Akron Marathon & Chase Team Relays (OH), Sept. 29 * Arizona Odyssey Relay Run Adventure (AZ), Oct. 12-13 Visit NeedforSpeedRelay.org/series for more information or to register. The second annual Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence, the anchor event for the expanded series, will take place in Westchester and Rockland Counties, NY, on Sunday, June 10, 2007. The Relay, a 50 mile, 9 leg race, begins at beautiful Bear Mountain Park, journeys through scenic Westchester County via Hudson River towns, New York State and Westchester County parks and trails, ending with a celebration in downtown New Rochelle. In 2006, nearly 100 teams from as far away as Colorado took part in the inaugural event. More information and registration is available at NeedforSpeedRelay.org or by calling 888-NFS-RELAY. Also, find more information on the Avon Foundation at: AvonFoundation.org. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest