Oyster Bay, NY (March 2012): With each determined step, the runners in the 7th Annual Brooke Jackman Race for Literacy 5K Run/ Walk will raise money to support literacy for at-risk children on Saturday, May 19 in Oyster Bay, Long Island.
The 3.1-mile race, a USA Track & Field-certified course, runs along scenic roads of Oyster Bay, Mill Neck and Upper Brookville, and will be professionally timed by Tri and Du It Multisport using the Mylaps Pro Chip Transponder timing system. For the past seven years, hundreds of runners have donned their sneakers to raise money for the Brooke Jackman Foundation, the non-profit organization created by the Oyster Bay-based Jackman family that promotes literacy for underserved children in the greater New York area.
“We’re expecting a record crowd this year and we’re so proud of all the families from the Long Island community that have rallied around our cause and the Race for Literacy over the past seven years,” said Erin Jackman, Director of the Brooke Jackman Foundation. “We have a lot of great additions to this year’s race—including a greater prize purse for the top male and female finishers—and it’s going to be wonderful morning of athletics and literacy.”
The day of races will have something for all ages. For the younger set that may still be on their way to accomplishing a 5K, there will be a ¼ Mile Fun Run for Future Olympians, children 8-years-old and under. While kids participate in the fun run, adult runners are encouraged to show their competitive side—cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. The overall male and female winners will win $200, while the top male and female winners in the Masters, Senior Masters and wheelchair categories will receive $50 each. The first three male and female finishers in each age group will also receive awards and there will be yoga and refreshments for all runners. Every participant will also receive a commemorative Race for Literacy 5K T-shirt and water bottle.
The Race for Literacy 5K will be held at the kick-off of the Health & Fitness Fair sponsored by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce and Senator Carl L. Marcellino, located at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School on West Main Street in Oyster Bay. Crafts and games for the children will start at 9:15 am. The ¼ Mile Fun Run will begin at 9:45 am, with the Race for Literacy 5K beginning at 10:15 am. Registration for the competition is $20 ($25 on race day); students 18-years-old and younger are able to sign up for just $10. Details about the race, including registration, can be found at HYPERLINK "https://brookejackman.ejoinme.org/RaceForLiteracy" https://brookejackman.ejoinme.org/RaceForLiteracy.
About the Brooke Jackman Foundation
The Brooke Jackman Foundation was created 10 years ago to honor Brooke Jackman, a bright and compassionate 23-year-old avid reader who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks before achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. Brooke’s passion and commitment to literacy and helping children spurred the Jackman family to create the Foundation as her living legacy – turning tragedy and despair into hope for a better world. Since 2001, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has donated nearly 100,000 books and 15,000 Brooke Packs, backpacks filled with books and school supplies, to children and families in need. BJF has established four libraries, as well as a number of after school literacy programs, at sites across all five boroughs, including homeless shelters and Family Justice Centers for victims of domestic violence and crime in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. BJF sponsors special events throughout the year to support its mission, including celebrity readings, the 5K Race for Literacy, an annual Read-a-Thon and an annual gala celebration. For more information, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.brookejackmanfoundation.org/" www.brookejackmanfoundation.org.
