Indiana University

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Last modified: Thursday, March 5, 2009

2009 IU Mini Marathon set for April 4 with improved course

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13.1 mile, 5-K races raise funds for scholarships for cancer survivors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The IU Circle of Life Mini Marathon and 5K races at Indiana University Bloomington, which were moved from September to April in 2008, will now feature more campus-friendly courses this April.

Pre-race ceremonies will begin at 7:30 a.m. April 4 in the parking lot of the IU Athletics complex at 17th Street and Fee Lane, with the mini marathon starting at 8 a.m. and the 5K at 8:10 a.m. Participants can register, pick up packets and visit an expo in the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 3 and from 6:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on race day.

To register or for more information, go online to www.iumini.com.

Sean Keegan MacCauley, president of IU Circle of Life, said his student organization listened to the requests of many runners and decided to include more of the IU Bloomington campus into the IU Mini Marathon and 5K courses.

"The course is designed to eliminate neighborhoods and intersections that could potentially cause aggravation to our runners as well as people in the community who were not involved in the event," said MacCauley, a junior from Evansville, Ind. "Instead, the new course offers more of the beautiful Bloomington campus to help our runners truly enjoy their weekend visit to one of the most beautiful universities in the nation.

"We appreciate the inconvenience that the race may impose on some of our neighbors," MacCauley added. "As we continue to build this campus tradition, we hope the community will help us to make it bigger and better each year."

The races, organized by the IU Circle of Life, raise money to endow scholarships for cancer survivors.

This year, IU Circle of Life had the honor of awarding its first scholarship to cancer survivor Lucas W. Conner from Greensburg, Ind. Conner survived testicular cancer in his teens and now attends IU Bloomington, where he majors in criminal justice. He was treated at the IU Cancer Center by renowned oncologist and professor Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, who also treated seven-time Tour De France Champion Lance Armstrong.

IU Circle of Life has expanded its partnership by developing a synergy with the research-based Hoosier Oncology Group in Indianapolis, which has a presence throughout the state. IU Circle of Life's focus of improving the quality of life for adolescent cancer survivors complements Hoosier Oncology's cancer focus well. In addition, Hoosier Oncology has opened the door to the oncology and care communities in the state of Indiana.

"We want to thank everyone who has competed in the past and everyone who has assisted us with planning our event, and we hope they'll enjoy a run with us this spring, which is a very special time here on campus," MacCauley said. "We hope that many people will take advantage of this opportunity to get fit, help raise money for a good cause and support other cancer survivors like Lucas Conner."

Participants can enter as teams consisting of five runners who will be charged at a discounted rate. There will be five categories: Greek Fraternity, Greek Sororities, Open Male, Open Female and Open Co-ed. The four fastest people on each team will have their finish times added together for a total team time, and the fastest teams in each category will win prizes. Circle of Life organizers hope this concept will present participants with opportunities to raise money for their own charitable causes as well.

The student group is raising money for the Bill Z. Littlefield Scholarship for Survivors, which will enable a cancer survivor to attend one of IU's eight campuses. Littlefield was a Kelley School of Business faculty member who died in 2005 from cancer, and many students in Circle of Life are studying business in the Kelley School.

The 13.1-mile run is one of the largest running events in southern Indiana and the state's first collegiate-hosted mini marathon. Runners will compete on a road route taking them through the IU Bloomington campus and surrounding areas. There is a 5K event as well.

IU Circle of Life organizers will work with authorities, as they have in the past, to notify local residents along the race route about road closures and traffic delays on race day. Course maps will be provided to outline when and where runners will be during the race.

A scholarship account has been established at the IU Foundation. Event planners hope that once the scholarship is endowed, annual proceeds of the event will be able to support other charitable causes. Contributions can be sent to the IU Foundation at P.O. Box 500, Bloomington, IN, 47402; made by phone at 812-855-5776; or made online at https://iufoundation.iu.edu (specify the name of the account: Circle of Life/Bill Littlefield Scholarship).

Tuxedo Brothers provides events management. Sponsors are Bloomington Shuttle, Hoosier Oncology Group, IU Cares, Bruner Landscaping, B97, Royal on the Eastside, Markey's Rental and Staging, Kroger, Marsh, Brightroom, Indiana Running Company and The ClassWatch.


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