Via Lehigh River Relay Marathon Announces New Race Division
August 1, 2007

BETHLEHEM, PA – Via of the Lehigh Valley has added a new race division to encourage some friendly competition between all of the cities, boroughs and townships involved in the Via Lehigh River Relay Marathon Run on September 9, 2007.

“We’ve had great cooperation from all involved and really appreciate everyone’s support,” said Bart Yasso, Race Coordinator and Chief Running Officer of Runner’s World Magazine.

Teams will compete for a special Via Cup sponsored by Main Street Public Relations based in Bethlehem that will be up for grabs every year. The winning team will have the honor of keeping the cup for the year and the chance to compete for it again next year. Those municipalities involved are: Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Borough of Freemansburg, Palmer Township and Bethlehem Township.

The only qualification is that all members of the team work (or in come cases, volunteer) for the same municipality and is open to any municipalities interested in participating. The category is called “Police, Fire & EMS” but is open to any employees and/or volunteers. Teams can register online at www.ViaNet.org.

“We’re hoping this sparks some friendly competition between all the municipalities involved and brings out the people who work so hard to make events like this possible,” said Yasso.

The Via Lehigh River Relay Marathon Run on Sunday, September 9, 2007, is a unique five-person team relay and individual run that follows a 26.2 mile course along the Lehigh River Canal Towpath through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

The Via Lehigh River Relay is the first full marathon in the Lehigh Valley since 1983 and spans three cities and two counties, Lehigh and Northampton, covering Via’s service area.

Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with disabilities. Via’s staff help more than 1,000 individuals and families from birth through retirement focusing in four areas: Children’s Services, Community & Volunteer Services, Employment Services and Residential Services. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via and these services.

Via works with children up to age three in their homes and daycares to address disabilities and delays. Via trains daycare center staff so children with disabilities can go to school and learn with their peers. Via finds jobs in the community for adults and provides coaching and training for successful employment. And Via helps people volunteer in the community, participate in leisure activities, and find or purchase affordable, accessible housing. Via believes that personal satisfaction and dignity are achieved through individual success and independence and is committed to helping people live full and productive lives. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via.

For more information, contact:
Lisa Walkiewicz, Communications Director
L.Walkiewicz@vianet.org | 484-893-5390