Race to benefit Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and its mission to prevent asbestos-related diseases by securing a U.S. asbestos ban
As the recent passage of major reform to the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) marked a milestone for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) in its journey to have asbestos banned in the United States, the race to the finish line continues with the 8th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run/Walk to benefit the ADAO. Registration is now open for the event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, which coincides with National Mesothelioma Awareness Day on Sept. 26.
Alton Miles for Meso is an initiative of the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation that was established in 2009 to raise funds and awareness for mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Simmons Hanly Conroy, a leading national law firm that represents mesothelioma patients and their families, and Metro Tri Club of Edwardsville, Ill., host and produce the event.
In June 2016, President Obama signed into law The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act that reforms the TSCA and empowers the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate or ban substances like asbestos.
“We are heartened by this major move forward in protecting people from the negative health effects of asbestos, but there is more work to be done,” said Linda Reinstein, co-founder of ADAO along with Doug Larkin, who both have lost loved ones to mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. “We look forward to another record-breaking Alton Miles for Meso in 2016 to help make sure victims of asbesos-related diseases have a united voice in continuing to raise public awareness of the dangers of asbestos, which is still prevalent and legal to use in the United States today.”
Todd Adamitis, chief operating officer of Simmons Hanly Conroy, added, “We are thrilled to once again present this wonderful event that brings our community together to support the victims of asbestos-related diseases and their families. We also are grateful to all of the participants and attendees, as well as our colleagues and friends who donate their time each year to help make this event a success.”
The Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. at the Simmons Hanly Conroy national headquarters, One Court Street, across from Marquette High School. Early registration costs $25 and ends Aug. 31. Regular registration costs $30 and will run from Sept. 1 to 19, followed by late registration up until the race day for the cost of $35. Online registration at www.milesformeso.org/register ends Sept. 22. Registration on-site the day of the race will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Registration also is now open through Sept. 2 for this year’s expanded Alton Miles for Meso Virtual Race that allows anyone in the country or the world to participate by purchasing race T-shirts, and on race day sharing photos of themselves wearing the shirts via social media and the hashtag #milesformeso. The race site will feature a jumbotron that will display the social media posts throughout the race to allow virtual participants to broadcast their support to runners, patients and their families in Alton in real time. Virtual Race registration costs $30 and includes the T-shirt and shipping fees.
Among the event’s other highlights will be a performance by Jordan Zevon, ADAO spokesman and son of Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, who passed away from mesothelioma in 2003. Other planned activities and attractions include a kids’ game zone, a dog adoption event hosted by Hope Rescues, and a vendor fair with local businesses and charities.
The top five overall men and women 5K race finishers each will win trophies and cash prizes of $500, $250, $200, $100 and $50 in order of finish. In addition, the first, second and third place finishers in 5-year age groups will receive custom Miles for Meso medals, and the top fundraising team and individual will be recognized.
More than 1,000 people attended the 2015 Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race and 2K Fun Run, which raised more than $30,000. Miles for Meso races have taken place in other cities across the country from New York to Florida to Washington state and several locations in between. The Bruce A. Waite Miles for Meso 5K will take place in Ontario, Ohio, on the Sunday before the Alton race. Since 2009, the combined events have raised nearly $450,000 to benefit mesothelioma research and awareness.
For additional information about Miles for Meso, visit www.milesformeso.org. Supporters also can visit the Miles for Meso fan page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Miles.for.Meso/?ref=ts.
