Athletics: Nearly 7,000 to Compete in Fourth Annual Cox Providence Rhode Races This Weekend

Athletics: Nearly 7,000 to Compete in Fourth Annual Cox Providence Rhode Races This Weekend


 Biggest Losers Mark Kruger & Jay Kruger Among Those to Compete in Cox Sports Marathon & Eident Sports Half Marathon, May 1 in Providence
Providence, RI -- Nearly 7,000 runners are expected to converge in Providence, April 30- May 1 to take part in the 2011 Cox Providence Rhode Races. This weekend long-event features the Cox Sports Marathon, Eident Sports Half Marathon, Shape Up RI 5k and the inaugural Munroe Dairy Kids Race.


"The city of Providence is pleased and honored to host the fourth annual Cox Providence Rhode Races," said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. "Runners who are coming from near and far are sure to enjoy the course, the spirited competition and time well-spent in our state's incredible Capital City."

The fourth annual Cox Providence Rhode Races kicks off on Saturday, April 30 at Roger Williams Park with the Shape Up RI 5k at 7:30 a.m. Then Dora & Diego will be on hand to launch the inaugural Munroe Dairy Kids Marathon at 8:45 a.m.

Cox Providence Rhode Races weekend continues on Sunday, May 1 in Downtown Providence. Runners, ranging in age from 13-78 years-old, are coming from as far away as Austria, Puerto Rico, Canada and Great Britain to compete the the Cox Sports Marathon and Eident Sports Half Marathon on Sunday. Both races showcase Providence and its surrounding communities.

The highlight of the weekend is the Cox Sports Marathon. A 2012 Boston Marathon qualifier, the Cox Sports Marathon runs through the capital city and scenic East Bay.

The 26.2 mile race kicks off at 8 a.m. on Exchange Terrance, next to Burnside Park (adjacent to Kennedy Plaza) in Downtown Providence. The course will wind through downtown and head out to the East Side. Runners will continue to Gano Street, past India Point Park, over the Henderson Bridge and continue on to the East Bay Bike Path. The course continues through Barrington to the YMCA. Runners then head back towards Providence, via the East Bay Bike Path and then continue over the Washington Bridge back through India Point Park towards the Capital City. The marathon concludes on Exchange Terrace in Downtown Providence.

The Cox Sports Marathon and Eident Sports Half Marathon begin at 8 a.m. on Exchange Terrace. Full course descriptions of all races are located at www.coxrhoderaces.com.

Among the notable participants include:

"Biggest Losers" Mark Kruger and Jay Kruger - Season 5 "Biggest Loser" contestants Mark and Jay Kruger will participate in the Cox Providence Rhode Races on Sunday. Mark lost 129 pounds and his brother Jay dropped 103 pounds when they competed on the NBC show in 2008.


Mark, the Season 5 finalist, will appear at the Cox Providence Rhode Races Health & Wellness Expo at the RI Convention Center in Providence on Saturday, April 30, 10-12 p.m. He will compete in the Cox Sports Marathon Sunday. Jay will participate in the Eident Sports half marathon.


Josie Hubschman -- The Brown University senior from Greenwich, CT is running the Eident Sports half marathon in honor of her dad, Henry Hubschman, who lost his 13-year battle with cancer in Jan. A member of Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, Josie has currently raised more than $40,000 -- the most any marathon runner in RI has ever raised for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.


Chris Geagon -- Once homeless and an abuser of drugs and alcohol, Chris has turned his life around. The owner of Main Street Fitness in Warren, RI, Chris is running the Cox Sports Marathon to raise money for Crossroads RI.
John Gallo -- A teacher at Hope High School, John is running the Cox Sports Marathon in an effort to raise money for one of his students whose mom is battling brain cancer. This initiative is part of the newly launched Hope for Hope, which is designed to support families in need at the high school located on Providence's East Side.

Back on My Feet - Back on My Feet, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.
More than 60 members of the Boston BoMF chapter, which just launched a year ago, will participate in the Cox Providence Rhode Races. http://www.backonmyfeet.org/


One of BoMF resident members, Karl Holen, who is currently serving in the reserves, was the Honor Guard for Dennis Poulin. Back on My Feet has decided to dedicate their participation at the Cox Providence Rhode Races to Spc. Poulin.



Dreamfar High School Marathon Team - The first high school marathon team in New England, the DreamFar Team will bring 80 members to Providence on Sunday to compete in the Cox Providence Rhode Races. The program's mission is to train athletes of all abilities in a variety of sports and help them achieve their dreams.



Carrie Wesolowski -- A member of Team Lung Love, Carrie became a lung cancer advocate after losing her Dad to Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer on May 29, 2009. She will run the Cox Sports Marathon Sunday in her dad's memory. Carrie was one of over 75 advocates from around the country who participated in the Capitol Forum last February to advocate on Capitol Hill on behalf of the recently introduced Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2011.

There is still time to register for the Cox Providence Rhode Races. Runners can register at the Health and Wellness Expo at the RI Convention Center, April 29, 1-7 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. -- 5 p.m. On race day, Sunday, May 1, registration will be open from 6:30- 7:30 a.m. at the RI Convention Center.

Cox Communications is the Title sponsor of the Cox Providence Rhode Races. Charitable partners include Cox Charities New England, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training, American Cancer Society, Lung Cancer Alliance, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Melanoma Foundation and the March of Dimes.


About Eident Sports Marketing

¨Eident Sports is a full-service event management and sports marketing company based in Providence, Rhode Island. Eident has several properties in the region, ranging from turn-key sporting events to sponsorship sales alliances with key partners. For more information on Eident's events and offerings, please visit www.eidentsports.com.


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