Posted: January 20, 2005

Athletics: Miami Marathon Adds 5K Race To Attract Family, Friends, Celebrities In Support Of The Homeless

Almost 2,000 Runners Set To Run Miami’s Most Scenic 5K With Estefan

MIAMI, FL (January 19, 2005) – Once again, Miami will be host to thousands of runners during the last weekend of January as the running world gathers for the Toyota Prius Miami Tropical Marathon and Half Marathon. This year, Miami’s newest running event has added a race for casual runners and walkers and marathoners looking for a scenic warm-up run the day before the race. The Great Florida Bank Tropical 5K benefiting Community Partnership for Homeless takes place Saturday, January 29 and will help event organizers reach out to beginning runners as well as children, spouses, and friends of marathoners. Approximately 2,000 runners and walkers are expected to participate.

With a picture perfect start set for Saturday morning, the 3.1 mile race takes runners from the Miami Children’s Museum on Watson Island to a goodie filled finish party at Nikki Beach Club on South Beach. Runners will pass under enormous cruise ships and the mansions of Star Island before hitting Miami Beach for the final stretch. The celebrities supporting the event include Emilio Estefan (running the 5K, Romero Britto (official starter of the race), Jon Secada (National Anthem singer) and several runner-musicians from Estefan’s label. Runners and walkers will also be treated to a Britto designed race shirt, a “Hope Lives” wristband designed by Britto, and the only spinning medal in the running world. The wristband, another original piece designed by the world famous artist, represents the message that Community Partnership for Homeless instills in its residence and the community abroad in establishing productive futures for the homeless population.

The new 5K race follows the national craze of running for a cause. In association with Community Partnership for Homeless, PR Racing aims to attract everyday runners to “Run for the Homeless” by taking part in the event. “Our goal is to provide everyone with an opportunity to participate in Miami’s Marathon Weekend,” Race Director Robert Pozo said, “and to give everyone a meaningful reason to run.” Besides the clear mission of establishing Miami and Miami Beach as health conscious communities, the 5K race will help raise awareness and support for Community Partnership for Homeless and their Homeless Assistance Centers. Through race proceeds, sponsors and the auction of Romero Britto’s original piece “Victory”, which was painted as the official artwork of Marathon Weekend, organizers hope to raise over $100,000 for Miami’s homeless community. “Victory” will be available for bidding at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Health and Fitness Expo with next bid starting at $16,000.

Registration for the Great Florida Bank Tropical 5K benefiting Community Partnership for Homeless is open online at www.runmiami.com or by calling 305-278-8668. Additionally, the public is invited to the free Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Health and Fitness Expo taking place at the Hyatt Regency on Friday and Saturday, January 28-29. Entrance is free and attendees will get an opportunity to get their own “Hope Lives” wristbands and Romero Britto Race posters with a donation to Community Partnership for Homeless. For more information on the charity, go to www.cphi.org or contact 305-329-3000.