EMORY & 'THE U.S. 10K CLASSIC'
EMORY HEALTHCARE is Major Sponsor of U.S. 10K Classic; Will Provide all Medical Support

July 20, 1997

Media Contacts: Sarah Goodwin, 404/727-3366 - sgoodwi@emory.edu
Kathi Ovnic, 404/727-9371 - covnic@emory.edu
http://www.emory.edu/WHSC/

EMORY HEALTHCARE will have a strong presence at both the 1997 U.S. 10K Classic scheduled for Labor Day (Sept. 1) and the Family Sports Festival which takes place the weekend before the race. The Primary Care and Emory Heart Center components of EMORY HEALTHCARE are once again major event sponsors.

The U.S. 10K Classic is a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run/walk, inline skate and wheelchair competition benefiting children's charities in Georgia. The race begins at Cumberland Mall/Cobb Galleria Centre on Cobb Pkwy. (U.S. Hwy. 41) in Marietta and finishes at White Water/American Adventures Theme Park.

The skating division of this year's event has been designated the National USA Inline Skating Championship for 1997. The footrace division is sanctioned by USA Track and Field as well as Road Runners Club of America. Start time for runners is 8 a.m. Race entry fee is $20. All race participants receive a race T-shirt, four-color commemorative poster and free entry to White Water.

Event proceeds benefit children in need, through active support of the following organizations: Georgia Council on Child Abuse, The Children's Center Inc., Salvation Army (Boys & Girls Club), Atlanta Community Food Bank and Good Samaritan Shelter.

ELITE ATHLETE CHARITY DINNER Friday, Aug. 29

Labor Day weekend race events begin with an Elite Athlete Dinner Friday evening, Aug. 29, at Cobb Galleria Centre Ballroom. Guest speaker is Rev. Robert Shuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral whose motivational talks are broadcast weekly to nearly 20 million persons; master of ceremonies is Stone Phillips of NBC-TV. Other celebrity guests include Sir Roger Bannister, first man to break the four-minute mile (3:59:4 on May 6, 1954); Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic marathon gold medalist and 1976 Olympic marathon silver medalist; Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of Boston and New York City marathons; and Miss America 1996 Shawntel Smith. Proceeds from the Silent Auction and ticket sales will benefit the children's charities. Tickets are $125 per person. The dinner is open to the public.

FAMILY SPORTS FESTIVAL Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31

Throughout the weekend prior to the race, Aug. 30 and 31, entrants will pick up race numbers at the Family Sports Festival, taking place in Galleria Gardens outside Galleria Centre, near the junction of I-285 and I-75. The festival will feature interactive games, sports celebrity autograph sessions, health and fitness demonstrations, an extensive children's play area, music, booths with memorabilia, trading cards, sports bars and athletic apparel. Publix super markets will provide food and drinks.

For more general information on The Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center, call Health Sciences News and Information at 404-727-5686, or send e-mail to hsnews@emory.edu.