Giant Race Series Expands to Scottsdale in 2014

Date: January 22, 2014

March 8, 2014 event produced in partnership with The Charro Foundation to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Scottsdale Unified School District

The San Francisco Giants, creators of the baseball-themed Giant Race Series which provides runners the opportunity to finish road races on the same home fields as their favorite players, announced the first-ever Scottsdale Giant Race, to take place on Saturday, March 8.

The Scottsdale Giant Race joins the established San Jose and San Francisco Giant Races and extends the series to include a year-round offering that kicks off in Scottsdale, continues in San Jose on June 28 and culminates in San Francisco on September 7.

The Scottsdale Giant Race features the "Complete Game 9 Kilometer" and the "Strike 3 Mile" that finish on the field at Scottsdale Stadium, the Giants Spring Training home.  "The Scottsdale Giant Race is the perfect extension of the Giant Race brand that many in the Giants community have come to look forward to each year," said Sara Hunt, vice president of Giants Enterprises. "March in Scottsdale provides the perfect opportunity to shake off winter and kick off the new baseball season with a healthy run and Spring Training baseball excitement."

The Charro Foundation is the official non-profit partner of the Scottsdale Giant Race, actively fundraising on behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Unified School District. Race participants and supporters will have the opportunity to fundraise for a specific Boys and Girls Club chapter or high school, or choose to support The Charro Foundation Charities focusing on youth. Participants choosing to fundraise have a chance to win great prizes, including VIP Spring Training Experiences, game tickets, autographed baseball items, and more. All race finishers receive a Scottsdale Giant Race medal, and all 9K and 3 Mile participants receive a technical shirt.

"The Charros and the San Francisco Giants have long been committed to the Scottsdale community, and the Scottsdale Giant Race gives us another chance to impact our community youth in a fun new way," said David Westra, Scottsdale Charro and the 2014 Giant Race Chair. "Our kids and their families can kick off spring break together, get some exercise in downtown Scottsdale, win some cool prizes and raise money for The Boys and Girls Clubs and/or for our schools which need our support now more than ever."

The Scottsdale Giant Race is officially produced by long-time local race producer RacePlace Events Systems, and also includes a Kids Race and Family Relay, taking place on the field the evening of Friday, March 7. There will be a post-race expo taking place at Scottsdale Stadium  immediately following the race, and prior to the March 8 Giants Spring Training game at 1:05pm.

Registration is now open for all distances at www.scottsdalegiantrace.com. Additional information on all Giant Race events can be found at www.giantrace.com.

this article Courtesy of Running USA wire