RESOURCES FOR RACE DIRECTORS

Freihoffer's Run for Women to Launch Second annual Training Challenge March 19th

10-Week Initiative Encourages FRW Participants to Get In Shape with Media Celebrities Kelly Lynch, Ann Hughes and Jennifer Gish;

Intermediate and Virtual Training Components Added for 2012

ALBANY, NY (February 22, 2012) — Capital Region women eager to get into shape, make new friends and participate in the 34th annual Freihofer’s Run for Women on Saturday, June 2nd in downtown Albany are invited to take part in the second annual Freihofer’s Training Challenge -- http://www.freihofersrun.com/fc25k.htm.

Set to begin Monday, March 19th at The Crossings of Colonie (http://www.colonie.org/parks/crossings/), the 10-week training program offers a beginner’s program for those new to running and an intermediate program for those who completed last year's challenge or want a more advanced workout.  

“Last year’s Training Challenge drew 400 women who jumped at the opportunity to give their motivation a boost, improve their performance and get into shape for our 5K,” said longtime Event Director George Regan.  “Over the past 12 months we’ve updated the initiative and are gearing up for an even larger group of women this year.”

Through the Training Challenge, which follows the Couch-to-5k Running Plan (http://www.c25k.com/) — a popular program that teaches novice runners how to complete three miles gradually over a 10-week period — participants first register for the Run for Women ($25 through March 10th).  Next they register for the Training Challenge ($20), which includes choosing one of three Training Challenge teams led by media personalities Kelly Lynch (WGY-810 AM), Ann Hughes (FOX23 News), or Jennifer Gish (Times Union).  

Participants then spend one day a week walking/jogging/running with their team at The Crossings of Colonie, another working out at a time that works best for them, and a third gathering for a group session led by certified coaches, personal trainers and injury prevention specialists at 8 a.m. Saturday mornings at a centralized location.

“One of the biggest changes we made this year to the Training Challenge is to add on a virtual training component -- http://www.freihofersrun.com/virtual.htm,” Regan continued.  “This aspect of the program is for those who can't participate in the full Training Challenge program with the coaches, or prefer to go it alone with the added motivation of having workouts waiting in their inbox each morning.”

All full Training Challenge program participants receive a unique Freihofer's Run for Women Training Challenge t-shirt, access to a hospitality tent refreshment area on race day, nutritional and injury prevention tips, the virtual email program, race day recognition through branded Training Challenge bracelets, and nutritious Freihofer's products.

For more information or to register for the 2012 Freihofer’s Run for Women and the second annual Training Challenge, visit www.freihofersrun.com.  From the home page, you can also link to the event’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.  Questions can also be directed to the Run for Women office at (518) 273-5552.

Event sponsors include the Charles Freihofer Baking Company, Price Chopper Supermarkets, CSC, The City of Albany, FOX23, the Times Union, and 99.5 The River

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Freihofer's, a leading baker of wholesome products, is committed to fostering the growth and recognition of women in sports and inspiring all generations of women to experience the benefits of exercise and good nutrition. Freihofer's continues to set the pace by sponsoring the annual Freihofer's Run for Women 5K. Now in its 34th year, the event, which is home to the Master’s World & U.S. All-Comers record, features thousands of women of all ages and abilities from Olympians to recreational joggers, who challenge themselves on the picturesque 3.1-mile course.  For more information, visit http://www.freihofers.com/

TRAINING CHALLENGE 1 — Participants stretch at The Crossings of Colonie prior to a workout during last year’s inaugural Freihofer’s Training Challenge.  More than 400 women took part in the 10-week program that teaches novice runners how to complete three miles gradually over a 10-week period.  This year’s program will also include an intermediate level and virtual training component.  For more information, visit http://www.freihofersrun.com/fc25k.htm Photo: Edward Parham

TRAINING CHALLENGE 2 — Freihofer’s Training Challenge participants celebrate after completing the 33rd annual Freihofer’s Run for Women with their team captains Ann Hughes (FOX23 News), Kelly Lynch (WGY-810 AM), and Jennifer Gish (Times Union; not pictured) at the Empire State Plaza.  Photo: Steve Jacobs