The Conor Lynch Foundation to Host 5th Annual 5K Color Run/Walk and Expo Event October 25
Debbie Boone to Kick-Off Race that Raises Awareness for Road Safety
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On Sunday, October 25, more than 1,500 runners and walkers will have a
blast while raising awareness for road safety at the 5th
Annual 5K Run/Walk In Honor of Conor event. Whether you plan to run/walk
or just come out and enjoy the fun activities, the expo offers something
for the entire family. The fundraiser benefits the Conor
Lynch Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising
awareness and promoting the safety of runners, pedestrians, cyclists and
young drivers.
At the young age of 16, while training for cross country, Conor Lynch
lost his life instantly when a distracted and unlicensed teen driver
failed to yield as he was crossing Woodman Avenue in Sherman Oaks. To
honor his life and help prevent future tragedies, the Conor Lynch
Foundation was established to support new and existing programs that
raise awareness and promote the safety of runners, pedestrians, cyclists
and young drivers.
This year, Grammy-award winning artist Debbie Boone will start the race
by singing “You Light Up My Life,” and Cortes Alexander, who has toured
with Liza Minelli, will sing the National Anthem. Music will also be
provided by dee jay Manny Streetz from KIIS FM.
For the first time, we are introducing a color run, which adds
excitement and fun and has been a huge sensation across the country.
We’re also adding a Virtual Race so that anyone, any age, anywhere, in
any time zone and any situation can participate. Virtual racers receive
a full runner packet and can join in the social media madness by posting
pictures on Instagram or Twitter by tagging @InHonorOfConor, or on FB
with #InHonorofConorVirtualRun. All virtual runners will be represented
on a map of the world, displayed at the 5th Annual Color
Run/Walk/Expo In Honor of Conor, on Sunday October 25, 2015, and at www.InHonorOfConor.Org.
We are also bringing back the popular “Super Safe Streets” theme, where
participants are encouraged to wear their favorite superhero costume or
cape as they run or walk the 5K course. There’s also a 1K Fun Run for
children under the age of ten and family friendly activities for those
who don’t run.
“We encourage families to come out and enjoy this year’s 5K color
run/walk event as a way to honor Conor’s memory and show support for the
importance of road safety so that other lives may be saved,” said Conor
Lynch Foundation President Jeri Dye Lynch, who lost her son during 2010
NTDSW. “We appreciate all of the love and support we’ve received and
continue to work hard to promote awareness in order to prevent future
tragedies.”
The race will cap off the
9th Annual National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW), from
October 18-24. NTDSW is conducted annually during the third week of
October in the United States to advocate safe driving among teen drivers
and their parents. This year’s theme, “Avoid the Regret – Avoid
Impaired Driving,” reflects research that shows that teens understand
they are vulnerable and are well aware of many risks. As a result,
focusing on avoiding regret can be a powerful message for teens.
In 2010, 191 teens in California ages 15 to 19 were killed and another
24,616 were injured in traffic crashes. Of those teens, 39 were killed
and another 7,120 were injured in traffic crashes in Los Angeles County,
according to the California Highway Patrol.
Register to walk or run in Honor of Conor by October 24th at Active.com
now. Same day registration is also available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park, 14230 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA
91423. A t-shirt will be included with the entry fee. The run/walk
begins at 8:30 a.m. and the “Fun Run” for kids starts at 9:30 a.m.
About The Conor Lynch Foundation
The Conor Lynch Foundation supports new and existing programs that raise
awareness and promote safety for pedestrians, runners, cyclists and
young drivers. Conor Lynch was killed instantly by a distracted teen
driver in 2010 during National Teen Driver Safety Week. His mother, Jeri
Dye Lynch, President of the Conor Lynch Foundation, is also President of Pinecrest
Schools, an eight campus private school in the greater Los Angeles
area. For more information about the Conor Lynch Foundation please visit www.inhonorofconor.org.
Follow the Conor Lynch Foundation on Twitter at @inhonorofconnor
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InHonorOfConor.
Contacts
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Julie MacMedan, 310-622-8242
jmacmedan@finprofiles.com
