Saucony Elite West Coast Invitational Returns To Lexus Santa Monica...

PRWeb

September 28, 2009

- Generic Events is pleased to announce today the addition of sports brand Saucony to the prestigious sponsor list for the Lexus Santa Monica 5000. Joining sponsors Ed Hardy Sport and Lexus, Saucony brings the running world to Southern California with the Elite West Coast Invitational featuring top athletes from around the globe. The addition of this elite division expands the race to include a 5k, 10k and 2.5k dash. The events all take place on October 11, 2009 with proceeds benefiting Saint John's Health Center.

'We at Saucony are loyal to the sport of running. Part of our mission is to support local running communities, by joining forces with the Lexus Santa Monica 5000 we hold true to our company's mission,' states Kirk Antonson, West Coast Tech Representative, Saucony.

'We are very pleased with the field for the 2009 Saucony Elite West Coast Invitational,' shares event director, Brennan Lindner, Generic Events. 'Our goal has always been to showcase the beauty and excitement of elite racing to Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Saucony brings their commitment to running which attracts a high caliber of runners from around the US and the World.'

This year's highlights will feature 2008 Female 5k Champion and course record holder (15:47), Belainesh Gebre (ETH). She will be returning to defend her title. 2007 and 2008 10k Female champion and course record holder (35:53) Christine Bolf of Los Angeles, will be returning as well. Haron Lagat (KEN), was1st in 2006 and 2nd in 2007, but now is looking to reclaim first place in 2009. He will have to hold off Christian Hesch from Morro Bay, however, who finished second in 2008.

Kicking off at the infamous Santa Monica Pier the races feature 3 structured runs; a 5k, 10k and 2.5k dash for kids. Competitor magazine and Los Angeles Sports & Fitness Magazine both named the event as a must do for all avid runners. New financial incentives have been established for 2009 with the purse progressing from $150 to the maximum of $1000 plus time bonuses:

Prize Money & Time Bonus Structure

Santa Monica 5000 (Men and Women)
1st $1000
2nd $700
3rd $500

Santa Monica 5000 Time Bonuses (Men and Women)
(Non-cumulative, only the highest time bonus is awarded)

Men Women
sub 14:20 $300 sub 16:00 $300
sub 14:35 $150 sub 16:30 $150

Santa Monica 10,000 (Men and Women)
1st Overall $500
2nd Overall $300
3rd Overall $200

1st Santa Monica Resident (male or female) in the 10k Run* $200
*Winners must be able to present a driver's license with a valid Santa Monica address.

Saint John's is proud to be the beneficiary of the Lexus Santa Monica 5000. As a fundraising event, the Lexus Santa Monica 5000 provides vital support for essential services and community programs offered by Saint John's Health Center. This is especially important in the current economic climate that has brought unprecedented financial challenges to many hospitals throughout Southern California.

To learn more about the runs and to sign up as a participant, please visit www.santamonica5000.com.

About Saucony, Inc.
Saucony Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of the Stride Rite Corporation is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Generic Events
The Lexus Santa Monica 5000 is managed and promoted by Generic Events, whose mission is to build the community by providing athletic challenges for all ranges of physical ability. Generic Events also produces the popular TYR Playa del Run Beach Festival as well as the XTERRA California Trail Run Series, the Whole Foods Pasadena Triathlon, and the MRA Bali International Triathlon. Please visit www.genericevents.com for further details.

About Saint John's Health Center
Saint John's Health Center provides exceptional care to families from over 41 zip codes in Santa Monica and throughout greater Los Angeles. It is the hospital of choice for physicians with national reputations in cancer, orthopedics, cardiac care emergency care and women's health services. Saint John's nurses are renowned for their skill and compassion at the bedside, and Flora L. Thornton Community Health Education Program at Saint John's provides seminars and workshops on health and wellness. For more information visit the web site at www.stjohns.org.

For Race Day Details:
Brennan Lindner
Generic Events
310-821-7898
brennan(at)genericevents(dot)com

For Saint John's Details:
Ryan Kirby

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