Posted: November 12, 2005

Athletics: Guidant Heart of Summer 5k and 10k Donates Race Proceeds to Minnesota Women’s Heart Clinics

Minneapolis, MN (November 11, 2005) — A Minneapolis-based running event designed to promote women’s heart disease awareness and prevention has donated its race proceeds to benefit several area heart health initiatives.

The 2005 Guidant Heart of Summer 5k and 10k raised more than $25,000 this year, and these funds are being distributed to the following women’s heart centers: Health East, the Mayo Clinic Women’s Heart Clinic and the Park Nicollet Clinic. Also receiving a portion of the event proceeds are the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and WomenHeart.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women and claims more women's lives every year than the next six causes of death combined. The Guidant Heart of Summer race is committed to increasing women’s awareness of heart disease risk factors and what they can do to maintain their heart health.

“The Guidant Heart of Summer 5k and 10k helps educate women about how health and fitness can make a lifesaving difference,” said Kris Wirth, Race Director. “We were very pleased with the success of our Heart Health Expo and race day events – from the scores of men and women participating in their first 5k or 10k walk/run, to the heart disease survivors, to the elite athletes breaking records, everyone got involved for a great cause.”

The Guidant Heart of Summer 5k and 10k is hosted by the Runner’s Soul Running Club. Plans are already underway for next year’s event, which will be held August 18-19, 2006. The 10k event has been selected to be the USATF Minnesota championship race along with the RRCA 10k championship event. Race proceeds, in addition to pledges and contributions, will again go to support women’s heart disease awareness and prevention efforts. For more information, please visit the race website at www.heartofsummer.org.

About Guidant
The Guidant Corporation is a world leader in the design and development of cardiovascular medical products. As a pioneer of lifesaving technologies, Guidant gives millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide the ability to return to active and productive lives. The company also offers physicians leading-edge technologies for improved patient management and clinical outcomes. For more information, please visit www.guidant.com.

About Runner’s Soul Running Club
Runner’s Soul Running Club’s mission is to promote and encourage fitness, and to bring the joy and health advantages of running and walking to everyone regardless of age or ability.