Southland Fires and Resulting Poor Air Quality Posed Safety Concerns
Pasadena, Calif. (Nov 16, 2008) - For the health and safety of all
participants, race organizer Pasadena Forward has announced it will cancel
the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon scheduled to run today, Sunday,
November 16, as a result of the significant wildfires in the Los Angeles
area, the many evacuations, and the resulting unsafe air quality caused by
the fires.
The decision was made in consultation with the Kaiser Permanente Medical
Team, the City of Pasadena and Pasadena Forward. It was difficult and highly
disappointing to have arrived at this decision with so many having dedicated
years of hard work to the inaugural Pasadena Marathon; however, concerns for
the safety and wellbeing of the participants prevailed.
Over the next several days, race organizer Pasadena Forward, the City of
Pasadena, event sponsors and other key stakeholders will hold discussions to
determine appropriate next steps. Once concrete plans have been developed,
updates will be posted at www.pasadenamarathon.org
All registered event participants will also be notified via email of important updates.
About Pasadena Forward: Pasadena Forward was founded in 2004 by Executive
Director, Israel Estrada. The organization's mission is to promote enhanced
quality of life for those who work, live, or attend school in the Pasadena
area. By offering needed financial and logistical support to local civic
and charitable agencies, Pasadena Forward aims to have a broad impact on the
nonprofit community's ability to deliver services. The Pasadena Marathon
was conceived as a large-scale fundraiser to further the mission of Pasadena
Forward.
About Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation's leading
integrated health plans. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice
prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, CA.
Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.3 million members in
Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation
Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and
the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser
Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 55,800 technical,
administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,400
physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser
Permanente can be found at kaiserpermanente.org.
About International City Racing: Led by Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Seagren,
International City Racing, Inc. (ICR) specializes exclusively in the
development, management and implementation of endurance, health, fitness and
other special events. Besides the Inaugural Pasadena Marathon, ICR events
include the Dana Point Turkey Trot 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run that hosts over
12,000 runners and walkers on Thanksgiving Day, the OC Marathon held in May
2009, the Pacific Open Water Challenge/FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup to
be held in Long Beach in August 2009, the Long Beach International City Bank
Marathon that will host over 20,000 runners in October 2009, and the Annual
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