Over 4000 Expected for Unity Health System Rochester Flower City Challenge

Over 4000 Expected to Participate & Neighborhood Spirit Contest

April 19, 2012—YellowJacket Racing, along with the City of Rochester and Fleet Feet Sports is pleased to present the Unity Health System Rochester Flower City Challenge, a two day participatory running & multisport extravaganza on April 28^th & 29^th. 

Registrations have far surpassed last year’s numbers thus far, making this event one of the largest running and multisport events in the Rochester region in just 3 years.  Current Numbers are:

½ Marathon – 2235 registered

5K – 939 registered

Duathlon – 246 registered

Kayak Triathlon – 104 registered

Du/Tri Teams – 55 Teams registered (18 – Du Teams, 37 – Tri Teams)

This participatory sporting event includes the SMP Rochester River Challenge Duathlon and Paddle Triathlon on the 28th and the feature event – the Unity Health System Rochester Flower City Half Marathon and Wegmans Family 5K on the April 29th  The event is supported by the City of Rochester as an opportunity to showcase the riches and history of Rochester’s neighborhoods and riverways, in addition to bringing people into the Rochester and experience everything Rochester has to offer in its community landscape.

In addition, Event Producers, David Boutillier and Ellen Brenner have a “Spirit Contest” between neighborhoods, where the neighborhood exhibiting the most spirit during the ½ marathon can win $750 (1^st place) or $500 (2^nd Place) towards a neighborhood beautification project.  The 2011 winning neighborhoods were Highland Park (1^st) and Susan B Anthony (2^nd).  Within hours of last year’s event, participants took a survey to vote for their favorite neighborhood.  The survey response was overwhelming with about 60% response rate.  Co-Executive Director, Ellen Brenner says, “The Spirit Contest has been an amazing asset and feature of this event.  Neighborhoods come together to showcase their side of town.  The response is wonderful and the participants absolutely love the support and cheering.”  Brenner, a long time city resident describes the course as a roving tour of Rochester, where participants will see parts of Rochester that they typically wouldn’t see.

The Spirit Contest Neighborhood Sections are divided as:

• Susan B Anthony
• East Avenue
• Park Avenue
• Highland Park
• River Path by U of R

Event Producers are also pleased to announce more live music will be along the course this year, plus 9 different organizations have offered their services this year as key road marshals for the “Adopt a Mile” and Water Stop personnel.  In return, organizers donate proceeds back to these various groups as a thank you for their help.  There will also be 200 additional volunteers over the 2 day extravaganza.

For course, “Spirit Contest”, event registration, volunteer and event information visit www.flowercitychallenge.com or Contact Fleet Feet Sports, 2210 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618.  Phone: 585-697-3338

About Fleet Feet Sports--Fleet Feet Sports is a locally owned and operated specialty store carrying footwear, apparel and accessories for walkers and runners.   At Fleet Feet, you will find a welcoming environment where runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities receive unparalleled service and support.  For more information, visit www.fleetfeetrochester.com.

About YellowJacket Racing—YellowJacket Racing is a locally owned event production and race timing company, producing upwards of 31 events including the Webster Turkey Trot, FireCracker Five Mile and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce 5K; plus providing timing services to upwards of 60 events within New York State.  For more information, visit www.yellowjacketracing.com.

About Unity Health System - Unity Health System provides a complete network of health care services from the Unity Park Ridge Hospital Campus in the town of Greece, the Unity St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, and over 70 sites throughout Rochester and Monroe County. Key programs include our Joint Replacement Center, Family Birth Place, Spine Center, Diabetes Center, Chemical Dependency, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, plus the area’s most comprehensive range of services for older adults.  ACM Medical Laboratory is the world’s fifth largest provider of clinical trials testing, with locations in western New York, York, England, and lab partnerships across the globe.   Unity Health System is headquartered in Rochester, New York. 

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