Projo Running Blog

Race organizers of the VIPS City Kids 1/2-Marathon Road Race and Relay to benefit Volunteers in Providence Schools have released these details about the Oct. 21 event:

TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN AMY RUDOLPH & BROWN MEN’S LAX COACH LARS TIFFANY SUPPORT RACE INITIATIVE

PROVIDENCE, RI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 1, 2007

WHO
Runners from all over the country will run in Providence for an enjoyable and scenic ½ Marathon & Relay to support VIPS (Volunteers in Providence Schools). This year, we anticipate 300 runners from throughout the United States. Sponsors include Amica; BankRI; Broadway OBGYN; Brown University; Coastal Medical, Coastal Waterman/Pediatrics; Dunkin Donuts; Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP; FGX International; Gilbane Company; Johnson & Wales University; Mullen Scorpio Cerilli Certified Public Accountants; Providence Tourism Council; Sodexho; Struever Brothers, Eccles & Rouse, Inc.; Verizon and Washington Trust.

Two time Olympic runner Amy Rudolph will, for the first time, run this ½ Marathon on October 21. Two-time track and field Olympian (1996 and 2000), Rudolph hopes to compete in the 2008 Olympics.

“I was completely awestruck by VIPS and its mission; I’m honored to be a part of this race that will help our students get the support they need,” said Rudolph, who didn’t run last year but plans to do so this year. The ½ marathon will be Rudolph’s longest run, as her usual distance is one mile or 6K on a track. Rudolph, a PC graduate, lives in the Elmhurst section of Providence.

For the second consecutive year, members of the men’s LAX team at Brown will volunteer at water tables and cheer on the runners.

“Education is the most powerful tool you can give a person,” said Lars Tiffany, Brown ’90, and the 2005 America East Coach of the Year, now the Head Coach for the men’s lacrosse team at Brown University. “We believe in VIPS’ efforts to provide educational support to Providence’s students.” As Tiffany and his team have also raised money for a school in Sri Lanka, their charitable deeds extend beyond Providence. Stay tuned…some of those LAX team players may sign up to run the relay….

“We are delighted that these two extraordinarily accomplished athletes, Amy Rudolph and Lars Tiffany, are helping to make this event successful,” said VIPS’ Executive Director, H. Terri Adelman. “Our Providence students benefit enormously from our tutoring/mentoring and our programs – without VIPS’ contributions, many of the students we help would fall through the cracks. Our Road Race is a wonderful opportunity for runners to help raise awareness and money for our programs so that we can reach – and help – more struggling students.”

WHAT
Proceeds from this ½ Marathon & Relay will pay for literacy programs to help our Providence public school students achieve academic success. This year’s race is USATF certified. Runners in this year’s race will travel by several different public schools where students, parents, teachers, staff and volunteers may cheer on and thank the runners. For the littler runners, there will be a relay race. After the race, ethnic food and drink, music and
entertainment will nourish the stomachs and delight the souls of all involved.

Prizes to the top female and male runners in each category will be awarded. The Honorable David Cicilline, Mayor of Providence, will award the Mayor’s Cup to the school that generates the most support for the ½ Marathon.

WHERE & WHEN
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Registration begins at 7:00 AM, ground floor, RI Convention Center
Race begins at 9:00 AM, Bank of America Skating Rink
Race ends when it ends! Bank of America Skating Rink

REGISTRATION OPTIONS ARE:
On-line registration: www.vips4kids.org or www.needtorace.com
$40 per person, or $80 per three person relay team; OR
Phone registration: Call us at 401.274.3240 and we’ll mail you the information
$45 per person, or $85 per three person relay team; OR
Race day registration: $50 per person for ½ Marathon. No relay race sign-ups.

Want to volunteer? Call VIPS at 401.274.3240

VIPS is a 44 year old award-winning educational nonprofit whose mission is to provide academic and social support to our elementary, middle and high school students in Providence’s public schools. Academically struggling students receive tutoring/mentoring from VIPS to improve their reading, writing and math skills; and acquire valuable workforce readiness and workforce development skills in after-school and summer programs and classes.

For more information about VIPS, please call 401.274.3240 or visit our website, www.vips4kids.org

---

---