press release

RITE AID CLEVELAND MARATHON WELCOMES AUTISM RUNNERS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Cleveland, Ohio – The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon has invited the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) to participate in the 29th running on May 18, 2007. This will mark the inaugural year that OAR has been a Charity Partner. The Cleveland Marathon features a relatively flat course and a scenic view of downtown Cleveland and its major landmarks. The course has been designed for our athletes to enjoy views of Browns Stadium, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lake Erie and many other Cleveland highlights. OAR in turn welcomes runners of all levels to join the 2008 RUN FOR AUTISM – Cleveland Team for this year’s Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K race. OAR plans to have over 25 runners representing autism between the three races participating in this prestigious event.

The RUN FOR AUTISM is OAR’s signature fund raising effort. OAR would like to invite you and your friends to “SIGN UP NOW” for this year’s Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K.  By joining the RUN FOR AUTISM – Cleveland Team, you are choosing to be part of a special group of dedicated individuals taking on a personal fitness challenge and raising funds for autism research.

Each member of OAR’s RUN FOR AUTISM team receives team gear and training and fundraising support. OAR has a no pressure, “set and meet your own goal” fundraising requirement until the race registration officially closes. “It’s worked well for us to this point,” said OAR Executive Director Mike Maloney. “The people who choose to run for us invariably believe in the cause and OAR’s work. Motivating them to fundraise has not been a problem as past results clearly demonstrate.”

Since 2003, the RUN FOR AUTISM has raised more than $1.4 million and invested that same amount of money in various autism research studies. All this while establishing itself as one of the most welcoming and rewarding programs in the charitable running community. OAR funds studies that are likely to produce practical and objective results in order to aid families, professionals, and individuals with autism in making fully informed decisions.

In addition to the Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, OAR will have RUN FOR AUTISM teams in the New York City Half Marathon in July, and the Chicago Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon in October. OAR has entries for each race. Pick your race, and choose your city.

For more information or to up for the 2008 RUN FOR AUTISM, please visit www.researchautism.org/news/run or contact Doug Marocco at 703-243-9712.

About OAR - The Organization for Autism Research is a national, non-profit organization with the sole purpose of promoting research that can be applied to help families, educators, caregivers and individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome find much needed answers to fuller and more complete lives. Since 2002, OAR has awarded more than $1.4 million for applied research studies and published four resource guides in its Life Journey through Autism guide series: A Parent’s Guide to Research, An Educator’s Guide to Autism, An Educator’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome and A Guide for Transition to Adulthood.

# # #