BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND ADIDAS OFFER YOUTH RUNNING PROGRAM IN 2005

For the 11th consecutive year, the Boston Athletic Association and adidas will sponsor a youth running program, designed to introduce kids to the benefits of the sport of running.

"Club 111," a name derived from the current year's Marathon, commences four weeks prior to the program's most important event: the B.A.A. Relay Challenge. Coaches train participating youths each week in one hour sessions, providing instruction that includes concepts such as teamwork, motivation and goal-setting. Youths are given uniforms and log journals as part of the sign-up process to foster the ideals of the program.

At the Relay Challenge on Saturday, April 14, more than 750 youths from 18 Boston and neighboring youth clubs will experience the exhilaration and triumph of crossing the legendary Boston Marathon finish line.

The B.A.A. Relay Challenge annually consists of a series of age-group and team-oriented relay races. The highlight of the day is the adidas All-Star Relay, in which two members from each youth club race with elite adidas athletes.

Club 111 and the B.A.A. Relay Challenge are part of the year-round youth program initiative created from the partnership that exists between the B.A.A. and adidas. More than 15,000 Boston-area youths have participated in the B.A.A. Relay Challenge since its inception in 1997.

PROGRAM CONTACT:
Michael Pieroni
Boston Athletic Association
40 Trinity Place, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-236-1652
Fax: 617-236-4505
Mobile: 617-212-6008
Email: pieroni@baa.org

Media, please contact Jack Fleming
(617-236-1652).