Geist Half Marathon & 5K “Race Around the Reservoir”

The Geist Half Marathon Inc. announced a new outreach program designed to inspire local schools or not for profit groups to participate in the inaugural Geist Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk Presented by Community Health Network on May 17, 2008. Participants must be associated with a school or other not for profit group and have an adult organizer willing to administer the Geist Half Marathon approved fitness program.

To participate, the organizing adult must visit www.GeistHalf.com and click on the “Healthy Kids” link to submit an application online. Upon approval by the Geist Half Marathon, participating teams will receive discounted race registration fees, wrist bands, and a “team in training” t-shirt for each child. In addition, each child that participates in either the Geist Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, or a new kid’s half marathon program will also receive the official race shirt and finishing medal upon completion.

“We want to reach out to school kids all around Geist and give them some motivation to run our benefit race next May 17th,” said Matt Troyer, Geist Half Marathon board member and liaison to the HSE Foundation.

Proceeds from the race will benefit local area health and wellness programs, including the Lawrence Township and Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

“Our board has been working closely with Lawrence Township School Foundation and Hamilton Southeastern Foundation to identify physical fitness needs in both school districts,” said Michael Turik, Geist Half Marathon board member and liaison to the LTSF board.

To offset the costs of the in training t-shirts, discounted race fees, and subsidized race fees for students on the school lunch program, Geist Half Marathon organizers are seeking corporate or individual sponsors of $500 per team. Sponsors have their name or logo on the back of each team in training t-shirt for their team.

“This gives area businesses a great way to show their support of local kids,” added Tom Britt, President of the Geist Half Marathon. “Kids love to compete in teams. This program allows them to train together as a team, build friendships, and find other things to do after school that will pay off their entire lifetime.”

If you would like more information on the “Healthy Kids” program, visit www.GeistHalf.com.

Lesley Stoeffler, a Geist homeowner and president of Genesis Property Management, has been appointed the Volunteer Coordinator for the inaugural Geist Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk to be held on May 17, 2008.

Stoeffler has been coordinating the 500 Festival Mini Marathon training program at the Fort Benjamin Harrison YMCA for the last seven years and has been active in the formation and sponsorship of the Geist Half Marathon.

“We’re very lucky to have such a capable and willing person step up and lead this vital committee for the Geist Half Marathon,” said Tom Britt, president of the Geist Half Marathon Inc.

An estimated 500 volunteers will be needed for pre-race and race events including packet pick-up, sponsor expo hall, water stations, field marshals, and post race festivities. If you would like to participate as a volunteer, please visit the Geist Half Marathon website (www.GeistHalf.com) and sign-up for the Google Group for email notices of upcoming meetings and volunteer opportunities.

Thank you all for volunteering to work at the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo & Packet Pick-Up on May 3rd-4th! We have board members which will be working with you as well during your scheduled times, all you will need to do is show up, be friendly, and pass out registration cards to runners. We will get you a bullet list of information prior to the event so you can answer questions about the race itself. We would like to have more volunteers, if you know of anyone, please forward their info along to me.

Here is the schedule we have of who is working when:

May 3rd, Thursday 4:00-8:00 pm
Marty Day (Board Treasurer)
Tom Britt (Board President)

May 4th, Friday 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Vince Auten (Board member)
Dana Neal
Marsha Davis

Friday 2:00-6:00 pm
Angela Minnefield
Leslie Stoeffler
Michael Turik (Board Secretary)

Friday 6:00-9:00 pm + tear down
Michael Turik (Board Secretary)
Kevin Nix
Gary Hohler

We need volunteers to work the Geist Half Marathon booth at the 500 Festival Mini Expo on May 4th-5th at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Our booth will need to be staffed on Thursday afternoon and all day Friday. If you can work for 2-4 hours on either day, please contact Tom Britt.