Nassau Cooperative Extension Partners with The Survival Race, Putting the Fun in Fund-Raising for the Jericho Non-Profit

Jericho, NY, August 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County (CCE-NC) announced today that it has reached an agreement with The Survival Race to partner in the production of the inaugural Long Island Survival Run 5K race, featuring a wooded 15 obstacle course hosted at the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp in Riverhead on Saturday, September 8, 2012.

CCE-NC Executive Director, Laura Hunsberger, an experienced triathlete and Ironman finisher (Lake Placid 2008) has agreed to be featured in an online series documenting her training for the event to be titled “Rebel With a Cause: The Survival Run Diary.” Laura’s web-based diary will follow her training for the fund-raising race, including blog entries about her experience, exercise regimen and recipes from her training diet. Hunsberger noted, “after more than thirteen hours in cold Lake Placid rain, I knew what it felt like to be tested physically and mentally, but the Survival Race presents fifteen obstacles, some of which will be completely covered in mud.” She added, “The Survival Race people have created an almost cult-like following throughout the country and we’re incredibly pleased and proud to be the organization bringing this epic family-fun and fitness challenge to Long Island, where obesity remains a serious threat to the long-term health of our community.” Laura seeks tax-deductible pledges from supporters to raise operating funds for the non-profit; her journey can be followed at http://www.razoo.com/story/Rebel-With-A-Cause-The-Survival-Run-Diary, https://www.facebook.com/CCENassau, and https://twitter.com/CCENassau.

Native Long Islanders and Survival Race organizers, Dean del Prete and James Villepigue, have produced similar events throughout the U.S., with throngs of race supporters on the internet. Competitors have already begun to fill up the race day roster, where up to 300 racers will compete in each of nine separate chip-timed waves. The fall 2012 mud run race circuit currently includes stops in Toledo, Ohio and Dallas, Texas, following the Riverhead, NY race. According to del Prete, registrations are already pouring in locally and from off-island locations. Dean said, “as a long-time member of this community, it feels great to have an opportunity to bring this special event to the people of Long Island. We proudly provide a safe, friendly, and family-oriented atmosphere that really puts the fun in fund-raising, especially for such a deserving non-profit as Nassau Cooperative Extension. We’re proud to be able to make a positive impact in our hometown.” Villepigue, author of 26 popular health and fitness books, added, “Nassau Extension shares our values and is committed to reducing obesity on Long Island, so it was a natural fit. We’re looking forward to putting Laura through the paces and getting her race ready.” Villepigue quipped, “Long Island is famous for growing potatoes, but we don’t want that to include couch potatoes.”

Race organizers are expecting close to 3,000 competitors for the all-day event at 3186 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, New York 11901. The first race wave begins at 9:00 a.m., and a variety of sponsors and vendors, and family-oriented entertainment, will add to the festive race atmosphere throughout the day. Local businesses have begun to seek out sponsorship opportunities, and some are still available, according to Hunsberger.

About
CCE-NC is committed to building healthy lifestyles and healthy communities by conducting educational programs that connect Cornell University resources to community needs for all people in the county. CCE-NC is an educational subordinate governmental agency association that provides research-based information and educational programs designed to build strong and vibrant communities. CCE-NC has been educating and disseminating information since 1914, through funding and resources provided by Nassau County, New York State (through Cornell University), USDA, a variety grant partnerships, and direct financial support from generous donors who support our mission.

The Survival Race is the original family-focused 5K, obstacle course and mud run, designed to get you out and get you dirty, and test your own limits in a fun, healthy, exciting adventure. Whether an experienced runner or couch potato, you will be among friends in this epic event. We’re committed to conquering obesity one family at a time, one step at a time.