Posted: June 2, 2005

Athletics: San Francisco Marathon Supports Iraq War Victim's Family Cause

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (June 1, 2005) - The San Francisco Marathon presented by Runner's World recently added the Robert P. Warns II Memorial Trust to the charity beneficiaries which benefit from the race's Cause to Run program. Robert "Bobby" Warns II of Waukesha, Wisconsin, a corporal in the U.S. Marines, was killed last November 8 when his vehicle struck a landmine in Iraq. Two other Marines in the vehicle also died, and two more were wounded. All charitable gifts to the Robert P. Warns II Memorial Trust go towards the support of Warns' infant daughter who was born after the 23-year-old soldier's death.

The San Francisco Marathon's unique Cause to Run program allows race participants to conveniently contribute to over twenty charities including the Robert P. Warns II Memorial Trust. Since Cause to Run was started by the marathon two years ago, the program has raised $250,000 for about 50 charity organizations.

Complete information about the San Francisco Marathon presented by Runner's World, including Cause to Run, plus online registration, is available at www.runsfm.com. The marathon will take place on Sunday, July 31, 2005.

Contributions to the Robert P. Warns II Memorial Trust can also be made directly through the trust's web site at www.bobbywarns.com, or by purchasing running gear at www.runningwell.org. RunningWell donates 50 percent of all proceeds to the trust or another designated charity of the purchaser's choice.

Bobby Warns' unit had arrived in Iraq less than two months before he died on a patrol mission. On the same day as his death, Erin Nielsen, his longtime girlfriend, received a letter. It was from Warns. He wrote telling Nielsen that he liked the name, Payton, that she had chosen for their expected child if the baby was a girl. The couple planned to marry after the Marine reservist's military service was finished. Warns' and Nielsen's child, a girl, was born on May 5, 2005. Her full name is Payton Elizabeth Robert Warns, and she is the Warns family's first grandchild.

Warns met Nielsen, 24, while both were attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The single mother is now pursuing a teaching certificate in architecture. The newborn has relieved some of the grief that Erin Nielsen, Warns' family, and friends experienced after their loss. Bobby's parents, Robert and Bridget Warns, established the memorial trust to raise funds for Payton's future.

Both of Bobby's parents, his sister Katie, and three other family members will join an expected 14,000 to 15,000 participants at this year's San Francisco Marathon, half marathon, and 5K Run/Walk. They will run and walk as "Team Bobby Warns" in the half marathon event in honor of Bobby, who ran track, wrestled, and played tennis in high school. All but one of the Warns team are veterans of at least two marathons. Bobby's dad has run seven full marathons over a 25-year span, with a 3:08 personal best.

"As soon as I heard that the race is running over the Golden Gate Bridge, I was in. I used it to convince the others," said the senior Robert Warns, 52, whose first San Francisco race experience will, no doubt, be his most poignant and memorable. "I wouldn't do it alone."

Warns and family will probably have more company over the 13.1-mile half marathon distance than they anticipate.

Said Peter Nantell, the marathon's producer: "Our hearts will certainly be with the Warns family and Erin on marathon weekend. We hope all our participants will take a moment to honor Bobby Warns and all the dedicated U.S. soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in Iraq."

According to a study completed by USA Track & Field last year, road runners and walkers raised $560 million for charity causes in 2003 alone.

"For years, charity running has been a major economic force in this country," said USATF CEO Craig Masback. "Even more encouraging is charity running continues to grow, as Americans continue to promote fitness, wellness, and giving to have a positive effect on American society."

The San Francisco Marathon's Cause to Run program is particularly popular among runners. When entrants in the marathon, half marathon, or 5K Run/Walk register, they can choose one of the marathon's 2005 non-profit beneficiaries to which a portion of their entry fee is automatically donated. Entrants also have an option to raise even more funds for their cause by collecting pledges from their friends, family, and acquaintances. Additionally, runners can specify a charity of their choice as a beneficiary.

The marathon's designated 2005 Cause to Run beneficiaries are: Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, Save the Bay, STOP AIDS Project, American Liver Foundation, Team Parkinson, Greenbelt Alliance, Options Recovery Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Homeless Prenatal Program, National Brain Tumor Foundation, San Francisco SPCA, Organs 'R Us, A Home Away from Homeless, Family Builders by Adoption, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois, War Child, Project Open Hand, ALS Association (Greater Bay Area Chapter), California Community Partners for Youth, 826 Valencia, The ABS-CBN Foundation, Bay Kids, St. John's Educational Threshold Center, and the Robert P. Warns II Memorial Trust.

REGISTRATION DETAILS: The San Francisco Marathon presented by Runners World and its companion events (half marathon, 5K Run/Walk) will take place on Sunday, July 31, 2005. On-line registration is available via the marathon's web site at www.runsfm.com. An entry form for mail-in registration is also available on the web site. The entry deadline for on-line registration is July 29; for mail-in registration the deadline is July 16. For additional information, call the race hotline at (415) 284-9653, Email: sfmarathon@westendmanagement.com.