Olympic Greats Join Green Cove Springs Inaugural Race to Support Wounded Warrior Project

    LUTZ, FL, March 29, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Freedom Marathon Inc. (FMI), a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and help support the needs of veterans and their families through running events, welcomes Olympic greats to Freedom 8k Series. Jeff Galloway and Bill Rodgers have pledged to help raise funds through the Freedom 8k Series for the Wounded Warrior Project.

"The inaugural Freedom 8k Series in conjunction with the Green Cove Springs Memorial Day RiverFest will be an exciting weekend full of patriotism and family fun," said Manny Cordero, CEO and Founder, Freedom Marathon, Inc. "Our goal is to honor our U.S. military veterans and support the health and fitness of our participants."

Local running hero Jeff Galloway is a member of the Freedom Marathon Leadership Team and has pledged to be in Green Cove Springs for the RiverFest and Freedom 8k activities. Galloway is teaching a three hour running class during the Health and Fitness Expo. For more information and registration for the class visit Galloway's website at http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ and search for Green Cove Springs.

Bill Rodgers, who is best known for his victories in the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon in the late 1970s, has also pledged to help raise money through this event.

The Freedom 8k Series is part of the Memorial Day RiverFest weekend in Green Cove Springs, FL. It will include a 2-day Health and Fitness Expo, a free Kids' Warrior Trot with special medals for all who finish. The main event is the Freedom 8k run on Memorial Day.

The RiverFest will host a "Concert on the Green" with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The concert will take place along the St. John's River in Spring Park with fireworks following. Runners will receive discounted concert tickets ($8 for adults and $5 for kids.) The park will also host a 3-day Arts Festival with activities and entertainment for all ages. The veteran's tribute, with the full Navy Band Southeast will definitely be one to remember.

The weekend events include:

Freedom 8k Health & Fitness Expo/ 23rd Annual Memorial Day RiverFest
Date: Saturday, May 28th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Thrasher-Horne Conference Center, 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065

Freedom 8k Health & Fitness Expo/ Memorial Day RiverFest with Concert on the Green
Date: Sunday, May 29th
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Place: Thrasher-Horne Conference Center, 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065

Freedom 8K Events
Date: Monday, May 30th
Time: 7:55 a.m. Freedom 8k races begin
Place: 825 North Orange Ave, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Time: 9:00 a.m. Community Band begins to play
9:30 a.m. Freedom 8k awards Ceremony
10:00 a.m. Kids Freedom Mile (Free event with finisher medals to all)
10:30 a.m. Full SE Navy Band concert begins
11:00 a.m. Memorial Service and Veterans Tribute
Place: St. Johns Avenue & Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

To learn more about these events please visit the Freedom Marathon Inc., website www.freedommarathon.org or the RiverFest website www.memorialdayriverfest.com.

About Freedom Marathon, Inc.
The Freedom Marathon, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and enlist public support through running events to help sponsor the needs of Veterans and their families. We bring a message of hope to our Veterans and their families, assuring them that America has not forgotten their sacrifices.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, donations, or volunteering, visit www.FreedomMarathon.org.

For media queries, contact Brian Butler at Brian(a)FreedomMarathon.org or 813.961.4700.

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