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Kimberley Jackson
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Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend to Benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as a Featured St. Jude Heroes Event

Local charities Back on My Feet, German Shepherd Rescue Indy also selected as official beneficiary partners

CARMEL, Ind. (Dec. 21, 2011) - The Carmel Road Racing Group and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital announced today a new partnership for the second annual Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend, held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Carmel, Ind. As a featured St. Jude Heroes event, participants of the Carmel Marathon, Carmel Half-Marathon Presented by Runners Forum, Championship Weekend 8K and 1-Mile Family Fitness Walk can join St. Jude's fight against childhood cancer.

Participants can combine the personal fitness challenge of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend with fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

By fundraising as a St. Jude Hero, participants can earn great incentives, such as a St. Jude Heroes singlet, a complimentary entry to the event, access to training and group runs with the Carmel Runner's Club and much more. They will also receive a personal fundraising website, online training, and support from the Carmel St. Jude fundraising office.

In 2010, more than 6,000 Heroes from across the country raised more than $3 million for the children of St. Jude, the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.

"We're honored to partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the St. Jude Heroes program," said Todd Oliver, president of Carmel Road Racing Group and Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend. "St. Jude has a significant local presence in Carmel, so this is a perfect opportunity to join forces to benefit one cause."

Back on My Feet and the German Shepherd Rescue Indy were also announced as official charities of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend.

Back on My Feet promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless populations in Indianapolis by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. The nonprofit's comprehensive program also includes connections to educational and job training opportunities. Many programs culminate in its members running an organized race, such as the Carmel Marathon, with Back on My Feet volunteers.

In addition, the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend will make a donation to the German Shepherd Rescue Indy, which focuses on rescuing German shepherd dogs facing euthanization. As the only German shepherd rescue in Indianapolis, the organization works to place dogs from regional shelters in new homes.

The inaugural Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend in June 2011 attracted participants and elite runners from 45 states and 3 countries. The Carmel Marathon, a certified Boston qualifier event, is the only full distance marathon currently held in the prosperous and growing suburb located just north of Indianapolis. The fast, flat courses for both the marathon and half-marathon have been officially certified with USA Track and Field.

As the official charity partners, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Back on My Feet and the German Shepherd Rescue Indy will take part in the Carmel Marathon Fitness Expo, held at the Monon Community Center in Carmel.

The road races will start and finish at Carmel's Palladium at the Center for Performing Arts with the courses passing through many of the city's scenic areas, including the Carmel Arts and Design District, Old Town Carmel and Carmel Clay Parks. Participants and their supporters are invited to the Center Green, adjacent to the Palladium, for the post-race celebration that will include live music, award presentations, massages and vendors.

"We're so excited to have St. Jude, Back on My Feet and the German Shepherd Rescue Indy on board for 2012," Oliver said. "Through these partnerships, we can help give back to the local community that has supported the growth of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend as a nationally-recognized event."

For more information on the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend's official charity partners and to register, visit CarmelMarathon.com.
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About the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend:
The second annual Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend, held on April 21, 2012, offers something for everyone: the Carmel Marathon, Carmel Half-Marathon Presented by Runners Forum, Championship Weekend 8K and a 1-Mile Family Fitness Walk in Carmel, Ind., a suburb north of Indianapolis.

Partners of the 2012 Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend include St. Vincent Carmel Hospital, Tom Wood Automotive Group, Subway, Runners Forum, ASICS, Hamilton County Sports Authority, POWERADE, Monon Community Center, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Salon 01, Dr. Michael Helms, Carmel City Center, Current in Carmel, PBC Sports Photography, Hamilton Beverage, and ERS Data Solutions Group.

For more information, please visit CarmelMarathon.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter @CarmelMarathon.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital's research has helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent when the institution opened to almost 80 percent today. It is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children, and no family ever pays St. Jude for care. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

For more information about the St. Jude Heroes program, go to www.stjude.org/sjheroes or
call Susie Tatum at 317-587-0925.