Posted: May 22, 2006

Athletics: San Diego runners selected to represent county in the Foot Locker County Challenge at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

SAN DIEGO, May 22, 2006-What do a homemaker, real estate broker, volunteer, counselor, and occupational therapist all have in common? A love for running, of course. These five diverse runners from San Diego County will join to run as a competitive team in the Foot Locker County Challenge presented by Reebok at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on Sunday, June 4.

The Foot Locker County Challenge is a program in which five local residents are selected to represent their communities within San Diego County during the marathon. The competitors were united by Foot Locker to train and run the marathon as a team, but for only half of the marathon. At mile 13, the real race begins as the team diverges to compete for the title of Foot Locker County Challenge Champion by finishing the race in the fastest time.

The winner receives a prize package including a Tiffany trophy and a two-night stay at a San Diego area resort. The winner will be presented the prize package and be recognized at the post-race concert featuring Ozomatli at Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista. All the athletes will receive the VIP treatment on race day and at the post- race concert, and will be introduced at the elite athlete press conference on Friday, June 2, 2006 at the Health & Fitness Expo inside the San Diego Convention Center.

All of the runners, who each average a 8:30 min./mile, were strangers until they were selected for the Foot Locker County Challenge. In the weeks leading up to the marathon, the runners meet to train, lend support and trade running tips.

The contestants were chosen from applicant responses to the Foot Locker County Challenge. Entry forms were available at San Diego Foot Locker stores and online at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon website during April and May. Selection criteria included residency within San Diego and running background.

The Foot Locker County Challenge participants are:
Runners' contact information for interviews furnished upon request. Contact Ian Monahan - 858/450-6510

Larry Chamness, male, 50, Carlsbad
Occupation - Real Estate broker
For Larry, running is not all about him. This Carlsbad resident began running five years ago when his daughter, Chelsea, was diagnosed with leukemia. Initially, running was an outlet to help him deal with his daughter's illness, but Larry now runs to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a Team In Training mentor. Larry ran his first marathon last October in San Francisco, where Chelsea attends college as a nursing student.

Julie Lemmon, female, 38, El Cajon
Occupation - stay-at-home mom and volunteer
A mother of four, Julie is an avid runner of 15 years and 13 marathons, even running through all four of her pregnancies. She has started a kids' running club at Vista Grande Elementary School in El Cajon, where the students, especially the kindergartners have taken to her motto - "it's funner to be a runner!" Julie will not only be cheered on by her own children, but also by the many children that are members of her running clubs.

Leroy Johnson, male, 53, La Mesa
Occupation - Academic Counselor, San Diego Mesa College
Leroy began running while attending high school in New York City - he hasn't stopped running since. As a retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, he has had the opportunity to run in many countries, including Japan, Kenya, Canada, and Mexico. Training with the San Diego Track Club, this will be his third Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and eighth overall. Leroy believes he is a role model for people his age who think they are incapable of mastering such feats. He is married and has a 13-year-old son who is an honors saxophone player.

Jason Garcia, male, 28, El Cajon
Occupation - Occupational Therapist in Spinal Cord Injury at Veterans Hospital in La Jolla
At a young age, when Jason's father went running, Jason would follow behind riding his bike. His father's passion for running inspired Jason to run his first race, a 12k, when he was just 11 years old. Seventeen years later, Jason and his father's bond remains just as strong. Unfortunately, due to an injury, Jason's father can no longer run, so this year, Jason will be running his second marathon for his father, while his dad makes a special trip to San Diego to cheer him on at the finish line. Jason has large group of fans at the Veterans Hospital who often give him advice on his training. The finish will be a birthday celebration for Jason and his mom whose birthdays both fall on race weekend.

Elaine Ryan, female, 31, Carmel Valley
Occupation - Homemaker
Elaine began running in her childhood hometown of Malibu, at the encouragement of her father, who was a running legend in high school and college. A mother of two, five years ago, Elaine ran the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon just 12 weeks after having her first child. Her children, ages 5 and 3, keep Elaine running around when she's not actually training. Elaine believes running helps her be a better mom and she hopes to start a running club to help mothers stay healthy and provide them with some personal time.

About Foot Locker, Inc.
Foot Locker is part Foot Locker, Inc., an athletic specialty retailer that operates approximately 4,000 stores in 20 countries in North America, Europe and Australia. Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Champs Sports retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channel Footlocker.com/Eastbay, the Company is the leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.

About the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Produced by Elite Racing, Inc., the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon will celebrate its ninth anniversary as a premiere event in San Diego attracting over 20,000 runners and 100,000 spectators to the area. More than $12 million will be raised for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® by 4,000 runners and walkers from Team In Training.

For more information and to register for the ninth annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, log on to RnRmarathon.com or call Elite Racing, Inc. at 858/450-6510.

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