4 hours ago
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So the first time I ever went to GNH (Greatness's New Home, aka Yankee Stadium), my buddy and I decided that sitting in the middle of center field playing Mario Kart on the gargantuan plasma in center field would probably be the official "If the World Was to End Tomorrow, the #1 Way We'd Want to Spend Our Last Day on Earth" experience.
I can't tell if this speaks more to our laziness, glaring immaturity, obsession with big, shiny technology, or our innate desire to actually experience what it's like to be on the stadium field. I think there's also a little bit of the intrigue in the cognitive dissonance of being IN a baseball stadium but for non-baseball reasons. Kind of like using a conference room at the office late at night when everyone's already gone home... to play poker, or something.
At any rate, I heard about this event at GNH and the paragraph under "Event Details" had me hooked.
Participants will run or walk the stadium’s concourses and ramps, climb stairs between levels, and finish with a lap around the warning track that encircles the playing field.
Seriously?? I had to reread the press release on it like 15 times to see if I was misunderstanding things, but oh no. It's real.
Ok, I admit the only running I do is to catch a bus (as if another one won't follow in less than 3 minutes, but whatever). HOWEVAH, the prospect of getting to play in Yankee Stadium and run around on the warning track? Or even better, the prospect of running within the concourses and ramps without the high traffic mess of toddlers clogging up the stadium channels??
(Ha, I wonder if kids see me the way I see them outside of the GNH. Like when I'm walking down a street and then I see 3 kids under the age of 10 come barrelling down full speed, screaming, with approximately zero intention of stopping or at least running AROUND me, leaving me with little options beyond stepping aside and then glaring menacingly at their parents oblivious to this chaos. Similarly, when I'm racing back to my seat at a baseball game after getting a hot dog, I wonder if kids are thinking the same exact thing about me.)
Anyways, my bum knee is better suited for the video games in center field, aka I'm still technically in ACL rehab if only in spirit, but I'm going to see if I can get some people together to go watch this from the bleachers.
But you are in any way one of those people I always see who do running and exercise and the gym etc, then how do you pass on this? (Well, unless you're a GNH-hater, in which case, you have much bigger issues to tend to.)
All the details are below...
DAMON RUNYON 5K RUN/WALK AT YANKEE STADIUM TO BENEFIT CANCER RESEARCH
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation today announced that it will host The Runyon 5K, a run/walk and kids fun run at Yankee Stadium to support cancer research on Sunday, November 15th 2009. Proceeds from the event, the first of its kind to be held inside the new stadium, will support brilliant young scientists carrying out innovative research for all types of cancer.
“This is a chance for New Yorkers and Yankees fans to follow in the footsteps of Yankees greats, for kids to run where their heroes run, and for every participant to make a real impact on cancer. From families to corporate teams, from fans to cancer survivors, all can enjoy this unique event at this incredible structure, which represents so much to so many,” said Lorraine W. Egan, executive director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
100% of all funds that a participant raises will directly support cancer research. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has a long history with the Yankees: Joe DiMaggio was on its Board, and Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle were supporters. Damon Runyon himself was a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist and revolutionized how the game
was covered.
Event Details
The Runyon 5K is a unique run/walk charity event that uses the stadium as its course. The event will take place from 9:30am to 4:00pm inside Yankee Stadium in New York on November 15th, 2009.
Participants will run or walk the stadium’s concourses and ramps, climb stairs between levels, and finish with a lap around the warning track that encircles the playing field.
In addition, there will be a fun run for kids around the warning track. Local scientists funded by the Foundation will be on hand to answer questions about their cancer research and the work of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.More detail can be found at www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium
Participants
The event is open to both individuals and teams, with corporate teams encouraged to compete. The event organizers send a special invitation to cancer survivors and those running in memory of lost loved ones or in honor of those affected by cancer. Families and supporters are welcome. Non participants will have the opportunity to view the event from the bleachers in the stands. All participants are encouraged to raise funds for the event, and everyone will have access to their own fundraising page on The Runyon 5K website.
How to Register
Registration will begin online on September 15. For more information and to sign up for the event, visit www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium. The registration fee is $35 for students and children and $50 for adults. Entry is limited to the first 2,500 registrants.
Sponsors
In addition to the New York Yankees’ support, other event sponsors include 24 Hour Fitness, SIRIUS XM Radio, New York Post and WNBC4 New York.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION:
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation identifies the most brilliant and promising scientists and provides them with funding to pursue innovative cancer research. The foundation’s focus is on emerging leaders who have great potential to achieve breakthroughs in how we diagnose, treat and prevent cancer. The Foundation was created in 1946 in memory of Damon Runyon, a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist and revolutionized how the game was covered. Of the more than 3,200 scientists funded since, 11 are Nobel Laureates and many lead cancer centers nationwide. Today more than 260 scientists funded by Damon Runyon – including 14 current awardees – are working at labs and major research centers throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
1 Comment:
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October 11, 2009 at 6:58 AM
Oh, I will be doing this. Good thing I've been running a bunch of 3-4 milers lately so I don't disgrace the Yankees.
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