Palo Alto Family YMCA’s Marsh Madness Walk & Run Less Than A Week Away, Saturday, October 24

Third Annual 10K/5K Run/Walk Supports A Great Cause, Raises Funds For Programs Targeting Local Youth And Teens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT

PALO ALTO, CA – October 19, 2009 – The Palo Alto Family YMCA announced today that there is still time for interested participants to register for its third annual Marsh Madness 10k/5k run and walk at www.marshmadnessrun.org. Taking place at the Palo Alto Baylands this Saturday, October 24th, the fitness event, co-sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, was created to raise funds and promote community awareness to fight an increasing number of youth health problems including poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, youth obesity, and adult-onset diabetes.

“There is still time for the community to get involved and register for an event that directly gives back to local teens and youth,” said Scott Glissmeyer, Executive Director of the Palo Alto Family YMCA. “All of the money raised for Marsh Madness helps us to provide access to YMCA programs for children and young adults, ultimately helping them achieve a healthier lifestyle.”

The Marsh Madness run/walk event was created to generate action toward youth health issues, and 100% of funds raised from the walk/run will support a variety of YMCA programs which help local youth and teens maintain an overall enhanced and healthy quality of life. These include programs such as Activate Youth which supports underserved elementary school students with healthy lifestyles; the Youth Fitness Series, which gets youth active through gymnastics, creative dance and martial arts; Noon Time Sports which uses lunch time to provide physical activity programs at local elementary schools, and Youth Sports, which implements healthy lifestyle components into traditional sports programs.

Marsh Madness begins at 10 a.m. with the 10K run starting at 10:20 a.m., and the 5K walk and run beginning at 10:25 a.m. Following the walk and run, participants can expect free food and awards, along with live music featuring acclaimed Blues musician Kenny Blue Ray and Friends.

Discounts are still available to interested participants. The adult entry fee is $40, and for ages 17 and under, the cost is $20. All YMCA members receive $5 off, and, those who pre-register before October 22 will receive an additional $10 discount. Marsh Madness is a professionally timed event on a USA Track and Field (USATF) certified course.

Sponsors for Marsh Madness include the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Roadrunner Sports, Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Palo Alto Daily News, Firehouse Brewery, Hobee’s, Runner’s World and Peets . For more information on the Palo Alto Family YMCA and Marsh Madness, please contact Jason Berry at jberryymcasv.org . For all media inquiries, please contact Tina Casalino at tcasalinoymcasv.org.

To register for Marsh Madness, please visit www.marshmadnessrun.org.

About the Palo Alto Family YMCA

The Palo Alto Family YMCA is committed to strengthening and enriching the development of kids, families, and the community. Through health and fitness, youth programs, family activities, and other resources for people of all ages and abilities, we help build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Our core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring are at the heart of everything we do.