Ken Parker, owner of the popular RunnersWeb.com internet site, and long time sponsor of the race has indicated he is pulling back from his active participation in, and financial support of the race, which he founded in 2006. "It's time to start taking it a little easier in retirement, and to spend more quality time with my family, friends, and my hobbies." Mr. Parker stated. "I remain supportive of, and personally committed to the women's only concept, which became Emilie's Run, and am confident that my partners in the race, the Somersault Event Series, will continue to grow the racer as we envisioned it."
Mr. Parker will remain the 'Honourary Race Director' of the event and and will continue to advertise and promote the race on RunnersWeb.com, but is turning the event operation and responsibilities over to the Somersault Event Series, which has been partnering with Ken in Emilie's Run with Ken since its inaugural year. Somersault has announced that it will continue Emilie's Run, and maintain its traditions, as the race moves forward. The 2011 Emilie's Run for Women Only will be held on June 25, 2011 (Somersault.ca), at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa (www.aviation.technomuses.ca/) .
"We are committed to building on the event legacy that Ken was been so instrumental in establishing." said Christine McKinty, of Somersault. "We look forward to building the event and supporting the official charity, KidSport Ottawa (http://www.kidsportottawa.ca/) ,in growing the event to 1500 runners and walkers. Last year's growth to 629 participants was encouraging, and we are optimistic the event will continue to attract more women of, in its unique women's only format." indicated McKinty. "The Wylie Ryan Aviation Museum 1Km (for boys and girls under 12 years), also continues to grow in popularity, and gives the whole family a reason to come out and watch, mothers, grandmothers, and sisters run or walk the 5Km."
In this transition year, Emilie's Run will continue to offer monetary prizes in a slightly different format, than in its first 5 years. The loss of Ken Parker's financial support, which came in the form of prize money for top finishers, has resulted in a change, to a prize money for record breaking format for 2011. Runners who break the overall, or the twelve, 5-year age group record, will receive cash prizes for doing so this year.
The Somersault Event Series will provide the prize money for new race records until a new prize money sponsor can be found. Efforts are ongoing in the search for a new prize money title sponsor for the race, and interested businesses, should contact the Somersault Event Series at info@somersault.ca to discuss Emilie's Run sponsorship.
Things are up and running for 2011, and interested participants are invited to learn more about the event, and enter at Somersault.ca.
Past Overall Race, and Masters category winners, are invited back as guests of the event, and should contact Christine at christine@somersault.ca to arrange for a free entry into this year's race.
For more information on Emilie's Run, please contact
Terry McKinty
erry@somersault.ca
Somersault Event Series
Somsrsault.ca
"events for everyone... from start to finish
Start of the 2010 Emilie's Run - Photo: RunnersWeb.com
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