San Jose Muddy Buddy Competitor Wins Certified Pre-Owned Land Rover LR3
Land Rover North America recently announced the winner of a 2008 Certified Pre-Owned LR3 from the Muddy Buddy Ride and Run Series, a competition of partner races held throughout the country. The lucky winner was notified last month during a radio interview about the San Jose event.
Damon Knox, a real estate agent and Muddy Buddy competitor from San Francisco, was surprised mid-December to find out he was chosen to win the LR3. Knox, prompted by his friend, participated in his first Muddy Buddy event in San Jose, Ca. this past June and plans to compete in 2 or 3 events in 2009.
Prior to his knowledge of winning the vehicle, Knox was invited to be interviewed on Competitive Radio, an AM talk show that airs out of San Diego on Sunday nights with Bob Babbitt, founder of the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Muddy Buddy. Knox was expecting the interview to be about the race, but was surprised halfway through when Babbitt and Jeremy Render, Pre-Owned Brand Manager, Land Rover North America, announced Knox had won the drawing for the vehicle.
“This justifies my new addiction!” Knox commented upon hearing he had won. “My heart is racing almost as hard as it was when I got to the top of the first hill.”
Knox received his LR3 from British Motor Cars in San Francisco, a long-standing Land Rover retailer in the California Bay Area. The Certified Pre-Owned Land Rover LR3 has undergone a complete 140-point inspection and is backed by a comprehensive 6-year/75,000-mile limited warranty coverage and Land Rover 24/7 Roadside Assistance.
Land Rover’s relationship with Muddy Buddy has been mutually beneficial, and intriguing for both brands, which stress a sense of teamwork and adventure. As Render said, “We’re an adventurous company, we drive our vehicles off-road both for purpose and pleasure, and we have a good time in doing so. Likewise, Muddy Buddy is a great off-road team event where friends and family members come out to take on a new challenge, raise money for a great cause, and to have fun in the process; this sense of spirit and camaraderie is what really ties together with our brand.”
Along with the vehicle donation and sponsorship of the event, Land Rover North America helps raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and this year was able to raise $31,500 through donations and contributions.
In the Muddy Buddy event, teams of two run and bike across a 5-6 mile course and eventually crawl through a large mud pit at the end and cross the finish line together. Some of the proceeds from the events go towards The Challenged Athletes Foundation, which raises money for athletes with disabilities and provide them with adaptive equipment. For more information on Muddy Buddy please visit www.MuddyBuddy.com.
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true ‘breadth of capability’ across the model range. Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR3 (Discovery 3), Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world’s 4×4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.
Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with all new models and, together with Jaguar, it is investing 700m pounds Sterling on technology specifically aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Also, since September 2006, carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset program run by Climate Care.
Source: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Ski Insurance, Can You Afford to go Without it?
If you’re planning to lighten up the cold dark gloomy months by booking yourself a ski holiday this winter, remember that travel insurance is one part of the package you can’t afford to be without.
Go Travel Insurance’s Director Andy Taylor said…”In the current climate and with all the recession talk, it’s understandable that skiers and snowboarders are looking to cut costs on their winter sports holiday, but cutting out their travel insurance could turn out to be a false economy.”
Skiing, snowboarding and all the other activities enjoyed on a winter sports holiday are all great fun, but without travel insurance you could be risking financial loss if an injury turns into costly hospital bills! A broken leg in Europe can cost around GBP4,000 to treat, or up to GBP10,000 in the USA. Injuries on the slopes can often require helicopter assistance, and repatriation costs if necessary can be astronomical.
Taylor also urged skiers to check their level of activity cover if they wish to enjoy some of the other activities often available such as sledging, snowmobiling or tobogganing. “Unfortunately bad things can easily happen on this type of holiday so you should ensure you have insurance for all the activities you might enjoy on holiday. Just having the peace of mind alone is worth paying the insurance premium.”
And there’s not just your own personal safety to protect. If you’re deemed liable for causing an accident on the piste, insurance is invaluable. And then there’s all the expensive equipment involved in a ski holiday – theft can be costly and inconvenient. If you have a week’s worth of skiing booked up, you want to spend your time on the slopes enjoying yourself and not worrying about being uninsured.
As a specialist in ski insurance, Go Travel Insurance offers comprehensive cover which can be tailored to your own personal trip. Purchasing online is quick and simple, and it pays to buy cover as soon as you’ve booked your holiday so you’ll be covered for cancellations.
Why foot the bill when one week’s European ski cover can cost as little as GBP23 on Go’s standard winter sports cover.
Source: Go Travel Insurance
Saxman Marion Meadows to Perform During 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend
Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows announced today that he will be performing at an opening event of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game Weekend — the Biltmore Estates All-Star Jazz Jam — at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, February 12th.
Hosted by the Women’s Funding Network and supported by Behind the Bench (the National Basketball Wives Association), Meadows will be performing at Estate 41 of the famed Biltmore Estates. This fabulous 20,000-square-foot European Villa is part of the Arizona Biltmore Estates’ famous “Billionaire Bungalows.”
“I’m excited to be a part of this opening event for All-Star Weekend,” stated Meadows. “I have played at a lot of different venues throughout the years, but Estate 41 promises to be one of the most exquisite and intimate settings I have ever performed in.”
Invited guests include NBA greats George Gervin, Charles Barkley, Eddie Johnson, Mark West and others. The Jazz Jam is open to the public with tickets priced at $100 in advance; $125 at the door (includes 2 drink tickets). The evening will include appearances by select NBA stars and their wives, along with retail merchants, raffle prizes, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and plenty of fun. Guests are encouraged to donate an old cell phone in exchange for one free raffle ticket.
“This is a hugely important event for us,” said Deborah Richardson, Chief Program Officer for the Women’s Funding Network. The funds raised will help us fulfill our mission to accelerate women’s leadership and invest in solving critical social issues from poverty to global security. We are delighted to be partnering with Behind the Bench, an organization that addresses the challenges that face families, especially women and children.”
For more information, visit http://www.2009allstarweekend.com/
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Registration to Open Sunday, February 1
32nd Annual Event to Take Place on Sunday, October 11
Online registration for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open to the public beginning at midnight (CST) on February 1 at http://www.chicagomarathon.com/ . The 32-year-old 26.2-mile race will be held on Sunday, October 11, beginning and ending in Chicago’s historic Grant Park. Registration is open to the first 45,000 registered participants.
“We are proud to continue the tradition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, one that brings its participants, spectators and the city of Chicago such a memorable and rewarding experience,” said David Rudis, Bank of America Illinois President. “This event unites people in a unique and lasting way making it a perfect fit for Bank of America’s continued commitment to the communities we serve.”
The 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in Chicago’s Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11. Registration will open to the public on Sunday, February 1 and close when the participant capacity of 45,000 is reached. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. More information on the race, registration and how to get involved is available at http://www.chicagomarathon.com/ .
Source: Bank of America
ING and Fit Miami Foundation Name Winners of ING Run For Something Better Student Essay Contest
Miami-Dade middle school children write about benefits of running; top essayists honored at luncheon and press conference Friday before ING Miami Marathon
Financial services leader ING and the Fit Miami Foundation selected three winners of a student essay contest that celebrates their success in the ING Run For Something Better running program in Miami-Dade County public middle schools.
The top three essays were submitted by the following students:
- Kasey Gonzalez, South Dade Middle School, 7th grade
- Christian Rivera, Palm Springs Middle School, 8th grade
- Miriam Rose Singer, Palmetto Middle School, 7th Grade
The contest was open to students in nearly 30 Miami-Dade County middle schools who have been participating in the program and were challenged to run 25 miles over 15 weeks in their P.E. classes. All students are invited to complete the “final mile” of their cumulative marathon at the ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon, which takes place Sunday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m. The kids will run a special race and get the thrill of crossing the same finish line as the adults. Transportation, lunches, t-shirts, finisher medals, and entertainment are provided to students at the event.
“We know that children are learning many positive lessons through our ING Run For Something Better, not only about staying healthy and fit, but also about setting goals and working hard to achieve them,” said Rhonda Mims, President, ING Foundation. “Holding an essay contest was a fantastic way to hear more about what the kids in Miami-Dade were getting out of the program, in their very own words.”
The ING Run For Something Better was introduced four years ago in Miami-Dade County, when ING became title sponsor of the ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon. The program is managed locally through a partnership with PR Racing, LLC and the Fit Miami Foundation.
Last year, more than 11,000 Miami-Dade County middle school students took part in the ING Run For Something Better program, with 3,300 finishing their final mile on race day. More than 3,500 students are expected to complete the program at this year’s ING Miami Marathon & Half Marathon.
As part of the essay contest, students explained what they liked best about the ING Run For Something Better. They were asked to describe how running makes them feel, what they learned about fitness and exercise, who inspired them to be healthy and how they planned to stay fit after completing their marathon.
The top three winners were selected by ING and Fit Miami Foundation staff. Each are invited to attend a special ING Run For Something Better school appreciation luncheon on Friday, January 23, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Perricone’s Marketplace in Miami.
“For the past four years, the ING Run For Something Better has been a terrific complement to our physical education curriculum,” said Dr. Jayne Greenberg, executive director of physical education and health literacy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. “Through this essay contest, we’re realizing that many parents and family members help inspire these students to stay fit. That’s exciting news, which tells us the program can be a positive influence both in the classroom and at home.”
As the sponsor of a number of premier running events in the U.S., ING has been encouraging young people to get physically fit while helping Americans be more fiscally fit.
ING developed the ING Run for Something Better in 2003 as a way to give back to local communities. The national campaign provides funding for free, school-based running programs while teaching kids about the benefits of exercise and healthy lifestyle choices.
In the fall of 2006, ING also created the Orange Laces program – a public fundraising campaign that encourages everyone to join the cause. When someone donates $10 or more, ING gives them a token pair of orange shoelaces to show they are “tied” to kids’ fitness. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from Orange Laces donations go directly to ING Run For Something Better fitness programs.
Since the initiative began, more than 35,000 children have participated in programs funded by the ING Run For Something Better. Young people in these programs have collectively run more than one million miles. In Miami, the ING Run For Something Better and Orange Laces campaign has contributed over $400,000 to Miami-Dade County public middle schools.
You can learn more about ING Run For Something Better and Orange Laces by visiting www.orangelaces.com.