Joanne Feldman(right), Chief Meteorologist for ABC-11, meets T-shirt Design Contest Winner Courteney O’Neal while participating in the YMCA Race Training Clinic. She will join other runners participating in the 23rd Annual Old Reliable Run. Read more about her progress.
New Beginnings for 23rd Annual Old Reliable Run
This will be a year of firsts for the 23rd Annual Old Reliable Run, one of the oldest 10Ks in North Carolina, set for November 12 in Downtown Raleigh. There's a new course along the reopened Fayetteville Street and an opportunity for runners to set new timing records in both the 10K and 5K events. Talecris Biotherapeutics and Rex Healthcare are also on board for the first time as presenting co-sponsors.
New Route
“Having the start and finish on the 400 block of Fayetteville Street is an exciting change that will give participants a unique opportunity to see the reopened street and set new course records,” said Co-Chairman of the Race Steering Committee, John Walser. “We hope the new course will be an incentive for more people to participate this year. The 10K and 5K events also help Triangle United Way support health and human services for the community. ”
New Sponsors
Presenting sponsors Talecris Biotherapeutics and Rex Healthcare have both gone beyond writing a check in support of the race. Each company has representatives on the committee and hosted information fairs at their respective companies to encourage employee participation.
“Rex's steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of our community begins with its own employees,” said Rex Healthcare representative Gloria Lopez. “We are very excited to be able take part in an event that supports building a healthy community.”
Talecris Biotherapeutics representative Lacy McMahon echoed the sentiment: “As a provider of life-saving and life-sustaining products, Talecris encourages healthy living among our staff. We’re hoping to have the largest team participating in the Old Reliable Run.”
New Kids T-shirt Design
Congratulations to Courteney O’Neal, a fifth grader from Conn Elementary School in Raleigh, the winner of the T-Shirt Design Contest! Her design will be used on the t-shirt for this year’s 100-yard Kids Dash. O'Neal and other top ten finalists’ drawings will be displayed at the Kids Tent on race day.
Theresa McManus, a first year art teacher at Conn Elementary, is very proud to see one of her students win. "My job as a teacher is to provide students opportunities to showcase their talents and to build their self-esteem. I wanted to come in [to Conn] and make a difference; and I get a chance to do that through organizations like United Way.”
New Teams
Teams of all sizes are invited to participate in the 23rd Annual Old Reliable Run to benefit the Triangle United Way Community Care Fund. To form a team, select a Team Captain and register at www.oldreliablerun.com. Prizes will be awarded for Largest Corporate Team, Largest Community Team and Largest School Team.
Congratulations to N.C. State University team "Darrin's Little Runners" who currently have the most team members registered!
Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, youth and groups to help with various responsibilities throughout the course of this event. Visit www.oldreliablerun.com to complete your race application or for more information on getting involved.
New Co-Chairmen
Race Co-Chairpersons John Walser, marketing consultant Triangle Business Journal, and Bruce Sladick, vice president of Wachovia Mortgage Corporation, hope to see as many spectators as runners enjoying the festivities.
“It is a very family friendly event,” said Walser. “There is something for everyone no matter what the age.” The 2006 race committee’s goal is to attract 3,000 runners and walkers to the event. If successful, that would be a 25 percent increase from last year’s participation number.
