NEW YORK, November 16, 2009 – The Runyon 5K, the cancer fundraiser taking place inside Yankee Stadium, made its debut yesterday with a stunning “home run,” attracting a sell-out crowd of more than 2,500 participants.  The event raised more than $250,000 for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, which aims to strike out all types of cancer by funding the young “MVPs” of cancer research.

At the new home of the 2009 World Series Champions, fans aged from 5 to 72 years old ran their own victory laps around the famous field in support of cancer research.  Cancer survivors, cancer patients and many supporters took part, along with exuberant Yankees fans and the Foundation’s own scientists.

Lorraine W. Egan, executive director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, commented, “The look on the faces of the kids as they ran around the warning track was fabulous.  The look on their parents’ faces was even better,” she said.  “We’d like to send a huge thanks to everyone who came.  Our promise to everyone who raised money is that every penny will go to the best young scientists in cancer research today.”

Alex Ko, a huge Yankees fan who plays Billy in the Broadway show Billy Elliot, launched the Kids Fun Run.  Nicole Brewer and Damien Gurganious of NBC’s The Biggest Loser kicked off the main event.   Nicole and Damien, who have shed a combined 264 pounds, led a team representing 24 Hour Fitness.

> Photos from the event can be found here.

EVENT DETAILS
The Runyon 5K is a unique charity run/walk that uses the stadium as its course.  The event began at 9:30 am with the 5K run/walk, and ended with a Kids Fun Run around the warning track at 1:30 pm.  Participants - including students, individuals and teams - explored the stadium from the basement level to the upper concourses, and ran their own victory laps around the warning track circling the field.  Friends and family of participants cheered on their heroes from the Delta Sky360 Suite overlooking home plate.

The registration fee was $35 for students and children and $50 for adults.   More details can be found at www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium.

SPONSORS
In addition to the New York Yankees’ support, other event sponsors include 24 Hour Fitness, SIRIUS XM Radio, New York Post and WNBC4 New York.