USO San Diego - PACTACLET Ombudsman Webpage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLIENT: SADDLEBACK MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER/SA7334

For more information call Bobby Black or Frank Groff

5/25/04

USO PUTS ON RUNNING SHOES FOR SADDLEBACK MEMORIAL HALF MARATHON & 5K

(Active Military Personnel Offered Free Admission for Premiere Athletic Event

On Memorial Day 5/31)

The USO Council of San Diego is encouraging military personnel to remain “active” this Memorial Day weekend by participating in south Orange County’s premiere athletic fundraising event, the 2004 Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon & 5K to be held on Monday, May 31. According to Nolan Draney, president of Saddleback Memorial Foundation, the fundraising arm of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills and organizer of the event, all active military personnel will be offered free registration for either of the -- the half marathon, which begins at 7 a.m. and the 5K run/walk at 7:40 a.m.

This year’s competition will serve as Southern California’s definitive Memorial Day event with a giant 25’ x 15’ American flag serving as the backdrop for the races’ commencement ceremonies. In honor of courageous U.S. military troops serving overseas, American flags will be distributed at no cost to the thousands of participants and spectators assembled at the starting line located just outside Saddleback Memorial (24451 Health Center Drive, Laguna Hills). Each of the races will be preceded by an address led by Laguna Hills Mayor Joel Lautenschleger, who will call for the crowd to observe a full minute of silence honoring those serving abroad. The ceremonies will conclude with the singing of the national anthem led by jazz/pop vocalist Macain Treat, who has performed internationally with such stars as Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow and Bonnie Raitt.

Space is limited. Interested parties must register no later than 5 p.m. by calling (949) 452-3466. Registration forms also may be downloaded by visiting http://www.memorialhalfmarathon.com. Completed registration forms may be faxed to (949) 452-3779. To receive free admission, entries must reference the special USO offer.

The half marathon and BJ’s Restaurant-sponsored 5K events will be timed with the ChampionChip® timing system and are “point-to-point” races that start at Saddleback Memorial (24451 Health Center Drive) and finish at the Laguna Hills Community Center. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the start line before and after the event. Complete course information, event scheduling and registration information can be found on the Web site.

Registration and sponsorship fees generated by the event will benefit the not-for-profit Saddleback Memorial Medical Center and Trails4All, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit organization that raises funds to coordinate volunteer trail maintenance and development projects throughout Southern California. The Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon 5K is organized by the Saddleback Memorial Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Laguna Hills-based hospital, and the family expo is sponsored by Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group.

The weekend schedule of events is as follows:

Sunday, May 30

· Angels Baseball Kids’ Races to be held at the Laguna Hills Community Center (25555

Alicia Parkway)

o 10 a.m. -- Registration for kid’s races

o 10:30 a.m. -- Kids Cross Country Challenge (one mile) for those ages 11 and 12

o 10:45 a.m. -- Kids Cross Country Challenge (one mile) for those ages 9 and 10

o 11:00 a.m. -- Kids Cross Country Challenge (one mile) for those ages 7 and 8

o 11:30 a.m. -- Expo Trot (1/2 mile) for those ages 4 to 6

o 11:45 a.m. -- Diaper Dash (25 yards) for infants up to age 3

· Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group Family Expo to be held at the Laguna Hills Community Center (25555 Alicia Parkway)

o 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. -- The expo will feature health screenings, a climbing wall, live musical entertainment and food sampling. Expo attendees also may register for the Monday, May 26 competitive events.

o Noon – 1 p.m. -- Complimentary yoga sessions will be offered to athletes in order to relax and “limber up” for the Monday’s events.

Monday, May 31

· Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon (in front of hospital at 24451 Health center Drive)

o 7 a.m. -- Race commences with flag ceremony/address honoring U.S. troops

· Saddleback Memorial 5K (in front of hospital at 24451 Health center Drive)

o 7:40 -- Race commences

· Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group Family Expo (at Laguna Hills Community Center (25555 Alicia Parkway)

o 6:30 a.m. – Noon -- Expo festivities continue

o 9 a.m. -- 5K Awards ceremony/attendee opportunity drawing

o 10 a.m. -- Bed race

o 10:30 a.m. -- Half marathon Awards ceremony

Co-sponsors of the Saddleback Memorial Half Marathon & 5K weekend include Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group, Pfizer, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, City of Laguna Hills, O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary, Angels Baseball, Citibank, California Emergency Physicians Medical Group, Puma, Lynch Ambulance, California Anesthesia Associates Medical Group, Professional Community Management, UPS, Stressbusters Body Physical Therapy Center, Anaheim Memorial Medical Center, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, Cox Communications, KABC Eyewitness News, KABC Talk Radio, Radio Disney, OC Metro, OC Family, Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water, Laguna Hills Mall, City of Laguna Niguel, Ayres Hotel, Leisure World of Laguna Woods, City of Aliso Viejo, City of Mission Viejo, Nature’s Path, Amazake, Ruby’s Diner, Mini Mailers, Henry’s Marketplace, CR&R, Sunrise Senior Living - Villa Valencia, Bakers Breakfast Cookies, E-Fuel and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The San Diego USO supports the largest population of active-duty service members and their families in the United States, including those who regularly deploy to trouble spots worldwide. Since 1941 the USO Council of San Diego has been working to serve the morale, welfare and educational needs of the men and women in the Armed Forces and their families. The United Service Organizations functions in times of both war and peace with the efforts of many volunteers working 365 days a year. Supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces, San Diego offers two centers—a Downtown Center providing a solid “touch of home” and the new Neil Ash USO Airport Center, a resting place for travelers. As a non-profit organization, both centers operate solely through the generosity of the American people.

Saddleback Memorial Foundation raises funds to support new programs, services, facilities, and equipment, so that Saddleback Memorial Medical Center can continue its mission of enhancing the health and well being of individuals, families and the community.

The first nonprofit, full-service hospital in the Saddleback Valley, Saddleback Memorial has been working to enhance the health and well being of south Orange County residents for nearly 30 years. Saddleback Memorial Medical Center is located at 24451 Health Center Drive in Laguna Hills (across from the Laguna Hills Mall). For more information about its programs and services, call the Saddleback Health Information Center at (949) 452-7255 or visit http://www.memorialcare.org.

### Kate Juergens Director of Public Affairs USO San Diego 619-235-6503
www.usosandiego.org