On Your Mark ... Get Set ... Go! Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries and the New York Road Runners Club Team Up For The Second Annual tommy's american running series

NEW YORK, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries, a leading manufacturer of fragrances, cosmetics, and bath and body products, and the New York Road Runners Club, organizers of the New York City Marathon and the largest running organization in the world, announced plans for the second annual tommy's american running series -- a 13-city, all-American Fourth of July celebration featuring adult and children's road races, picnics, fireworks and other family activities -- all to support the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS).

For the second consecutive year, Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries will make a contribution to Nancy Davis's Foundation called the Race to Erase MS which funds the Center Without Walls, a unique collaboration of six eminent physicians, scientists and clinicians developing innovative research programs and new therapeutic approaches designed to speed along a cure for MS.

New to this year's event, is a partnership with The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which has 134 local offices across the country.  The alliance will allow local races to raise funds directly for their own community MS chapters.   One hundred percent of the money raised will support research and programs to benefit people with MS in each race location.

Nearly 17,000 runners participated in last year's inaugural event, with another 400,000 people taking part in the parades and festivals surrounding the races. The second annual tommy's american running series will be held in New York City; Chicago, IL; Norwood, MA (Boston); Washington, D.C.; The Colony, TX (Dallas); Sugar Land, TX (Houston); St. Louis, MO; Portland, OR; Maple Heights, OH (Cleveland); Bethany, OK (Oklahoma City); Huntington Beach, CA, and two new cities -- Jacksonville, FL and Sacramento, CA.

"The overwhelming response to last summer's races inspired us to enhance this year's running series on both a national and grassroots level," said Tommy Hilfiger.  "We're thrilled to offer fun and safe family entertainment on this most American of holidays, while raising funds and awareness in the fight against multiple sclerosis."

Additional attractions at the events will include special Tommy booths with fun, family-oriented activities such as tommy tattoos and interactive warm-up demonstrations with health instructors in select cities provided by Self magazine.  Local fundraising efforts will include on-site raffle drawings for Tommy Hilfiger products and other prizes.

Nancy Davis, whose personal battle with MS led her to establish the Race to Erase MS said, "Since our inception seven years ago, Tommy Hilfiger has played an integral role in the Center Without Walls which funds six prominent MS Centers around the country.  His passion and drive in the fight against multiple sclerosis is unmatched.  He has been instrumental in raising much-needed funds targeted to groundbreaking MS research.  With generous support and contributions from people like Tommy, we hope to eradicate MS from our planet."

"The tommy's american running series tied into the Independence Day theme will be a great way for our chapters to find new ways to raise awareness about MS and rally their communities in the battle to end its devastating effects on a third of a million individuals with MS and their families," said General Mike Dugan, President and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "The programs the Society provides to empower people with MS to maintain maximum independence in the face of the many challenges MS imposes on their lives are among our most important and popular programs."

"The races provide entertainment for all ages and an opportunity to help others over the holiday weekend," said Allan Steinfeld, President and CEO of the New York Road Runners Club.  "We want to encourage even more families and friends to come out this Fourth of July - making it bigger and better than last year."

Individuals can register for the races beginning May 1 at http://www.tommyrun.com, or in late June at select retailers in each of the 13 cities.  Call 212-423-2284 for official information regarding tommy's american running series.

For information on Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries contact Debbie Burke or Danielle Dunne at 212-572-4310/4386 and for the New York Road Runners Club contact Richard Finn at 212-423-2229.
 

tommy's american running series 2000

Location	Race Name	Distance	Date
Huntington Beach, CA	tommy's surf city run	5k	July 4, 2000
Sacramento, CA *	tommy's american 5k	5k	July 4, 2000
Jacksonville, FL *	tommy's celebration 5k	5k	July 4, 2000
Chicago, IL	tommy's american 8k	8k	July 4, 2000
Norwood, MA (Boston)	tommy's firecracker 5k	5k	July 4, 2000
St. Louis, MO	tommy's american 10k & 3k	10k & 3k	July 2, 2000
New York, NY	tommy's american 4-miler	4mi	July 4, 2000
Maple Heights, OH (Cleveland)	tommy's american 5k	5k	July 1, 2000
Bethany, OK (Oklahoma City)	tommy's bethany classic	8k & 3k	July 1, 2000
Portland, OR	tommy's american 5k	5k	July 4, 2000
The Colony, TX (Dallas)	tommy's liberty 5k	5k	July 4, 2000
Sugar Land, TX (Houston)	tommy's american 5k	5k	July 4, 2000
Washington, DC	tommy's american 5k	5k	July 2, 2000

*  New in 2000
 
 

SOURCE Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries