October 16, 2001
BOSTON, October 16, 2001 - Several Team New Balance elite runners will join legendary artist Willie Nelson in Austin this Sunday, October 21 to participate in the first annual Willie Nelson's 10K for Farm Aid presented by New Balance.
The confirmed male elite runners include Ireland's Keith Kelly, the 2000 NCAA Cross Country champion and Gabriel Muchiri of Kenya, the 2001 Penn Relay's 10,000 Champion and second place finisher in the 2001 America Finest City Half Marathon in San Diego.
On the women's side, Ireland's Breeda Dennehy Willis, a 2000 Olympian and champion of the 2001 Penn Relays 10,000 and 2001 Mt. Sac 5000 will compete against Martha Komu of Kenya, who was the 2001 James Joyce Ramble Champion 10K and who placed third in the 2001 Bix 7 Classic in Iowa.
"We are thrilled to have these world-class runners from Team New Balance competing in the first annual Willie Nelson's 10K for Farm Aid," says Paul Carrozza, race director, RunTex. "Their elite ability raises the race profile within the running community and ensures an exciting and competitive inaugural event."
The 10K road race will start at 6:00 p.m. and will also include a 5K and a 2K Mosey. The 10K course is a fast, USATF certified, gently rolling route along the banks of the Colorado River in the heart of downtown Austin with a mile downhill finish. A post-race awards ceremony will be held at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Participants can register for the race at www.willies10k.com, or at RunTex between Monday October 15 and Saturday October 20 at 422 West Riverside Drive in Austin, or on race day starting at 12:00 p.m. For more information, please call 1-800-959-7868. The entry fee is $40 and each entrant will receive an official race T-shirt. The event also includes a runner's Expo on Saturday and Sunday October 20-21 from noon to 6:00 p.m at Auditorium Shores as well as a special Farmer's Market on Sunday, October 21.
Registered race participants will receive free entry into a post-race live concert by Willie Nelson at 8:00 p.m. at Auditorium Shores in Austin. Tickets for the concert only are available for $25 for adults and $15 for kids ages 7-14. Children six years and under will be admitted free.
Willie Nelson's 10K for Farm Aid presented by New Balance is a RunTex production. Additional race sponsors include Runner's World, RunTex, Austin Parks and Recreation, HEB, Fox 7 KTBC-TV, 107.1 KGSR Radio Austin, Star of Texas Rodeo, Mangia, and Threadgills.
Since 1985, Farm Aid has distributed more than 16 million dollars to farm and rural organizations that are making a difference for family farmers. Founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, Farm Aid mobilizes farmers and family farm activists to establish effective projects that save family farms. The mission of Farm Aid is to rally national support for America's farmers.
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure sports, and kids. Work and hiking boots, sandals, boat shoes, and rugged casuals are also available through the company's Dunham Bootmakers division. Dunham joined the New Balance family in Fall 1998. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2400 people around the globe, and in 2000 reported worldwide sales of $1.1 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
