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Bank of America Chicago Marathon: 13 Runners Will Be Chosen for “Let’s Run Together” Charity Relay with Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan
Deadline to apply is September 9, 2011 11:59 p.m. CT
From the Bank of America Chicago MarathonAugust 24, 2011
Chicago, IL
U.S. women’s soccer stars Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan will swap their cleats and shin guards for running shoes and singlets on Sunday, October 9 as the teammates partner with Bank of America and the company’s “Let’s Run Together” program during the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The bank has introduced its “Let’s Run Together” promotion, which celebrates the partnerships, connections and support systems that make the world-class race possible. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon spurs economic growth, catalyzes support for charities, and motivates 45,000 runners. Participants have a positive influence on others in their communities.“Let’s Run Together” will include a special charity relay, where 13 runners from Chicago and around the country will be chosen to run with Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan during the 34th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Let’s Run Together also includes an integrated marketing campaign featuring Chicago-based athletes whose emotionally moving stories embody the idea of running together.
“As professional soccer athletes, we know that teamwork is very often at the heart of our individual success,” stated Hope Solo. “By participating in Bank of America’s Let’s Run Together program, Abby, Alex and I hope to encourage thousands of individuals to embrace the idea of partnership as a way of making a difference in their communities.”
Bank of America Illinois Market President Tim Maloney explained that runners rely on the support of family and friends, and often run for a personal motivation or a special cause. Similarly, Bank of America is grateful for a partnership with the city and state to stage an event that benefits the local economy and the nonprofit community. This year's theme, "Let's Run Together, illustrates a strengthening of human bonds.
According to the most recent report released on August 22 by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (R.E.A.L.), the Bank of America Chicago Marathon contributes nearly $172 million to the local economy. The event attracts new visitors to Chicago during a traditionally slow period of tourism for the city. More than 10,000 participants reported that running the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon would be their first visit to Chicago and the sole purpose for their visit, with 7,500 runners traveling from 109 different countries.
To apply for Bank of America’s Let’s Run TogetherCharity Relay, individuals 18 and older may visit facebook.com/chicagomarathon to complete an entry form by September 9. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Applicants will be asked to explain how they would make opportunity possible in their community with a charitable contribution from Bank of America. A select panel of judges from Bank of America and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will announce the complete 13-member Let’s Run Together Charity Relay team during September.
Each of the relay team participants will run a two-mile leg of the Chicago Marathon with celebrity captains and U.S. women’s soccer stars Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan; the relay will conclude with the entire relay team running together across the finish line. For their participation, each relay team member will be awarded a trip for two to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, along with a $5,000 contribution to their charity of choice.
The Let’s Run Together Charity Relay team is representative of the thousands of people who will run the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon for approximately 160 local, national and global charities. Last year, approximately 10,000 registered runners raised a record $12 million for 150 charities. Many organizations are struggling to keep up with growing demands for services as a result of the slow economic recovery. Since its inception in 2002, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon’s charity program has generated nearly $60 million in nonprofit contributions.
“The opportunity to captain this relay team and run together with people from Chicago and across the USA is a unique and exciting way to celebrate teamwork and partnership and to make a positive impact in our communities, both in Chicago and across the country,” commented Abby Wambach, who plays forward for the U.S. women’s soccer team.
About Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 34th year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago’s Grant Park beginning at 7:30 am on Sunday, October 9. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, October 7-8. See www.chicagomarathon.com.