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 White Plains, NY - Local residents are starting to train for the January 25th ING Miami Half Marathon to raise money to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two seldom-discussed painful and unpredictable diseases of the digestive tract.
Called Crohn’s & Colitis Team Challenge, the half marathon program is run by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, whose mission is to cure these diseases. Team Challenge volunteers commit to raise funds for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis research while they receive professional marathon training.
"It's life-changing," said Gino Caropreso, the program's endurance manager. "You're not only doing something for a great cause and advancing the foundation, but you're doing something for yourself. Next year while everyone is talking about their New Year’s resolutions, you will be on your way to Miami in the best shape of your life.”
Those wishing to join Caropreso in the fight against these diseases will train for 16 weeks on the weekends at a local venue. The coaches will offer clinics on fitness, injury prevention, nutrition and other relevant topics, to help training participants succeed on race day and beyond.
Participants will have the option to run or walk the 13.1 miles in Miami. Caropreso was pleased to announce that the running team will be coached by the Founder of the Westchester Track Club, Mike Barnow. Barnow has coached hundreds of distance running stars in his more than 30 years as coach at the Westchester Track Club. In fact, Barnow was the distance coach for the 1984 Somalian Olympic team. He has coached a wide variety of runners- from stay at home moms to international Olympians.
“I am looking forward to coaching Team Challenge,” said Barnow. “It’s great to be part of a team that raises funds for an important cause. My hope is that some of the participants become life long runners.”
Entrants are also given access to cutting-edge fundraising tools, including a free Web page for fundraising support. This will help participants raise as much money as possible to support the fight to cure Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis..
In exchange for their commitment to fundraising, Crohn’s & Colitis Team Challenge participants receive complimentary round trip transportation, accommodations, race entry fees and admission to entertainment and events.
"When people hear about a half marathon, they think, 'Oh, I could never do that,'" said Caropreso, a White Plains resident. "You start off doing what you can, and you'll see how your body will adapt to changes. It's amazing what the body is capable of doing."
Interested participants can learn more about the program at information meetings throughout the Westchester and Fairfield area. The first "Team Challenge" informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Rye YMCA. Additional meetings will be held in White Plains, Chappaqua and Greenwich, Conn., in the following weeks.
A kickoff celebration will be held before training begins. Participants will meet other runners as well as the chapter's "sponsored hero," someone affected by the disease who will be involved with volunteers.
To attend an upcoming meeting or for more information about becoming involved in Crohn’s & Colitis Team Challenge, visit www.ccteamchallenge.org or contact Gino Caropreso at
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About the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon®
The 7th annual event takes place the weekend of January 25-27, 2008 in Miami and Miami Beach, drawing over 15,000 runners from 50 states and more than 50 countries, the largest such event in South Florida. Built as a community event with global appeal, the local community embraces the event as a boon to health and tourism and as a fundraiser for numerous charities, including Team Lifeline and Team Challenge which each raised over $1 million in 2008. The race has been named to the Runner’s World list of “Top 10 Races to Run” and USA Today’s list of “Top 10 Winter Races” as well as multiple awards from Competitor Southeast Magazine as Event of the Year for Florida. Race weekend includes a 5K, 26.2 mile and 13.1 mile events plus a two-day health and fitness expo that draws more than 30,000 visitors. The 2008 event generated an estimated $24 million economic impact on the local community. Registration is open for the event at www.ingmiamimarathon.com.
About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery. These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.
About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, and more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.
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