Contest honors those who have overcome a life-altering disability or illness and inspired others
PHILADELPHIA -- January 21, 2010 -- August weather and the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race will be here before you know it! But the winter months are when it's time to enter to win the third annual "CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge" national essay contest. Beginning today, CIGNA will be accepting entries to win an all-expense-paid trip, valued up to $5,0001, to participate in the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race on August 15, 2010 in Falmouth, Mass.
In 2009, 25,000 runners applied for 10,000 coveted spots to run in the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race. So, the winner of CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge national essay contest earns particular respect. The seven-mile CIGNA Falmouth Road Race is a tradition for many year after year and welcomes participants of all types including amateur runners, wheelchair athletes, and even former Olympic runners. It's best known throughout New England, but its notoriety attracts people from as far away as New Zealand. Some race for fun, while others use the race as an opportunity to raise money or awareness for important causes and charities.
The essay contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years of age or older, who currently have, or have overcome, a life-altering disability or illness. Entrants must be willing to share their personal triumph story, how they have inspired others to overcome adversity and why they want to race in Falmouth. Contest details and official rules are available at www.cigna.com and entries may be submitted to CIGNAFalmouthRoadRace@cigna.com. The contest begins January 21 at 9 a.m. EST and will officially end Friday, March 19 at 5 p.m. EST. CIGNA will announce the winner on or about May 14.
"As the 2009 winner, representing people with disabilities at the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race, sharing my story and running in the race was a rewarding experience," said Nick LaRaia of Oxford, N.C., and last year's winner of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race Challenge essay contest. "I encourage anyone who faced a disability and refused to give up doing the things they love to share their story. Many others facing similar life-changing events will draw encouragement from your story to help carry them along their own path to recovery and even envision the possibilities they still have in front of them."
In November 2002, Nick was struck by a pickup truck while riding his bike. The accident severed his left leg at the knee. In the years since the accident, Nick returned to biking and took up running in charity events. He coached other amputees at local support groups, while also training people to walk with prosthetic limbs as part of his job as a physical therapist.
"Falmouth brings together runners of all backgrounds and levels of experience. But Nick and many others with similarly inspiring stories are the people who remind me to keep persisting in my own running and fitness efforts," said Mark Marsters, senior vice president, CIGNA, Group Operations, who has participated in the race for several years.
CIGNA is returning as sponsor in 2010 for the fifth consecutive year, in support of its mission to help improve people's health, well-being and sense of security. In 2009, the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race raised over $1.4 million in support of 68 charities such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Boston, Children's Hospital Boston and Compassionate Care ALS of North Falmouth.
1 For official rules please see www.cigna.com. The value of the prize is taxable.
About the Falmouth Road Race
The Falmouth Road Race was founded in 1973 and has also been featured in Life Magazine and Sports Illustrated, as well as on CBS television and ESPN. In 2005, it was named in Sports Illustrated "One of the 25 essential things to do in the summer." It was the only road race listed. Proceeds from the race benefit Falmouth school programs and youth organizations. The race annually receives more than 25,000 requests for entry forms and fills its field of 10,000 in less than a week. For more information visit www.FalmouthRoadRace.com.
About CIGNA
CIGNA (NYSE:CI), a global health service company, is dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. CIGNA Corporation's operating subsidiaries provide an integrated suite of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, as well as group life, accident and disability insurance, to approximately 46 million people throughout the United States and around the world. To learn more about CIGNA, visit www.cigna.com.
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