SAUCONY INTRODUCES ‘#BOSTONSTRONG LACE MEDALLION’ TO BENEFIT BOSTON MARATHON VICTIMS AND FAMILIES

Boston-based performance running brand encourages runners to show their support for victims with specially created shoelace medallion; Saucony to donate 100 percent of sales to The One Fund Boston

LEXINGTON, MA (April 23, 2013) − In an effort to inspire runners to honor and support the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, Saucony has created the #BostonStrong Lace Medallion to be offered as a fundraiser for The One Fund Boston. The two-sided medallion features the viral hashtag and unity motto #BostonStrong on one side and a custom-designed, laced-up heart icon on the other.

Runners can obtain the #BostonStrong Lace Medallion for five dollars per pair. For every pair of medallions purchased, Saucony will donate 100% of sales to The One Fund Boston, established by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Runners can pre-order the #BostonStrong Lace Medallions at saucony.com beginning Wednesday, April 24th. Medallions will be available to ship within three to four weeks.

Also, if you're so inclined, please go to onefundboston.org to make a direct donation.

Marathon Thoughts: A Little Comic Relief

If you've ever run a marathon, then you know that every emotion that a human can experience will surface somewhere during those 26.2 miles. From exhilaration, to insecurity and self-doubting, to exhaustion, to "I'm king of the world!", to self-loathing, to invincibility, to insanity, to jubilation--some or all are experienced by the endurance runner, especially the first-time endurance runner.

The Improv Asylum of Boston, contacted me to let me know about a cool video parody of the marathon experience they created in celebration of the Boston Marathon. Improv Asylum is a comedy theater that features improvisation and sketch comedy. They’ve been described as Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Saturday Night Live!. Opened in 1998, Improv Asylum has performed over 3,500 shows, for over 500,000 people. They’ve been featured on HBO, and they've performed in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, Aspen and throughout the country.

So, check out the video below. I dare you not to laugh and I'm betting that you've experienced as least some of what this runner is going through.

Looking for a Way to Boston?

Were you one of the many who were disappointed this year when the Boston registration filled so quickly. Well, if you didn't get in this year, still want to go, and don't mind rolling up your sleeves and doing a little work, I have some good news for you!

Kristina Sym, the Special Events and Design Coordinator at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary contacted me with news that she still has a few spots open in her 50-member Boston Team!

Remember I said you'd need to roll-up your sleeves? Well each team member must commit to raising a minimum of $5,000 for research and patient care at Mass. Eye and Ear. The funds raised will be used to bring new hope and a healthier future to people everywhere who face loss of sight, hearing, voice, balance, taste and smell, as well as head and neck cancer.  Fundraising and training support will be offered. The team coach, Fred Treseler, is recognized as one of the best in the country.

Team Eye and Ear members span a wide range of athletic abilities (novice to experience marathoners) and walks of life. They are generous and dedicated individuals who are athletes, fundraisers and ambassadors for Mass. Eye and Ear. Their hard work, dedication and pure passion brings new hope and a healthier future to people everywhere who suffer from debilitating conditions affecting sight, hearing, voice, balance, taste and smell, as well as head and neck cancer.

So, if fundraising is your thing and you really want to get into Boston this year, check it out!! Interested runners can contact Kristina at kristina_sym@meei.harvard.edu  or (617) 573-6364. More information can also be found at: www.MassEyeAndEar.org/TeamEyeAndEar .