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More than 6,000 runners to participate in race, Raising funds for NYC Domestic Violence Programs
New York, NY (April 7, 2008) – One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. This Mother’s Day, more than 6,000 runners are expected to participate in the Fourth Annual Mother’s Day Race: A Race to Erase Domestic Violence on Sunday, May 11 in Central Park. The race, a New York Road Runners event, is sponsored by the New York Junior League (NYJL). All pledge money raised will benefit programs that combat domestic violence and other charitable projects instituted by the NYJL.
The Mother’s Day Race includes a four-mile co-ed run, a 10-mile women’s race, and kids’ races open to children ages 2 to 12. The NYJL invites runners, walkers or those wishing to make a pledge of financial support to participate. Pledge monies raised by participants will be directed to the NYJL’s First League Fund for domestic violence initiatives and other charitable projects of the NYJL. Participating sponsors include Tibi, Verizon Wireless and The Children’s Place. The Travel Siblings at Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. and Tibi, are the official sponsors of the Grand Prize Raffle. The Mother’s Day Race will also feature a Domestic Violence Awareness Pavilion at the Naumberg Bandshell featuring local domestic violence service providers offering free information on their programs.
“Domestic violence is not determined by demographic or economic status. Domestic violence survivors often feel as though they have nowhere to turn and are unable to break the cycle on their own,” says Heidi Thompson, New York Junior League Domestic Violence Focus Area Manager. “Our volunteers work with established community partners to address the unique concerns of women and children in abusive situations through programs that emphasize education and empowerment.”
In the United States, one-third of all women who sought care in hospital emergency rooms for violence-related injuries were injured by an intimate partner, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2007, New York City police responded to more than 600 domestic violence incidents each day, and the City’s Domestic Violence hotline answered approximately 340 calls every day.
Statistics such as these have contributed to the recognition of domestic violence as a serious public health problem and criminal justice problem by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Mother’s Day Race, a qualifying run for the ING New York City Marathon, is one of more than 55 races NYRR organizes throughout the year. The NYRR races and fitness programs draw more than 300,000 runners annually.
“The Mother’s Day races are a fantastic opportunity for mothers and their families to spend time together in a healthy, active, meaningful way,” said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners.
For more information on the Race to Erase Domestic Violence, pledge and registration forms please visit: www.nyjl.org/mothersdayrace or www.nyrr.org.
About the New York Junior League
The New York Junior League has been a leader in identifying and responding to unmet community needs for more than a century. Through direct service, collaborations with other community organizations and advocacy, the NYJL provides a positive force for change within the communities it serves. Each year more than 3,000 trained volunteers donate more than 250,000 hours of their time to better the lives of women and children in New York City each year. The NYJL works with more than 30 community based organizations and public agencies to deliver services and assistance directly to women and children in need.
About New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008. NYRR is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and responding to community needs. Its road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with a magazine and Web site, support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of more than 100, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR’s home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world’s top professional runners. Our youth programs provide running to 30,000 schoolchildren in New York City and around the country who would otherwise have few or no fitness opportunities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.
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