LEAWOOD, Kansas - (January 2, 2007) "The Grandfather of all Kansas City Road Races," the Hospital Hill Run, has incorporated into a not-for-profit entity under the Amateur Running Category.

For the past several years the race has been managed by Lisa Drake, owner of Event Midwest, an event management company, and supported by a variety of organizations including: MARA (Mid America Runners Association), Crown Center, the hosting sponsor and Saint Luke's, the presenting sponsor.

"Lisa Drake was asked by UMKC to step in and oversee the event," stated Tim Donnelly, President of the new Hospital Hill Board of Directors. "She has put in countless hours coordinating the event and surrounding activities."

One of the founders of The Hospital Hill Run was MARA in 1974, and who in the years since has been instrumental to the event as well as offering ongoing support over the years. As the host of the event, Crown Center (the other founding organization of the event) has been a long-time supporter, 32 years, and a huge help with providing such a great venue.

"The organization of the board simply puts a governing body and support mechanism in place for the race director, sponsors and ultimately the participants in making this event the best of its kinds in Kansas City and the surrounding area," stated Donnelly.

"The time had come to take the Hospital Hill Run to a new level by incorporating, thus creating a board of directors," said Drake. "My recent goal was the incorporation of the Hospital Hill Run and creating a board to sustain its growth and status, and I have achieved both of those goals."

The new board of directors are: Tim Donnelly, President; Mike Roberts, Secretary; Ron Pierce, Treasurer; Rod Murrow, Dan Dolan and Sandy Cohen. Stated goals of the board include: 1) support this historic run as it grows and focuses on health and wellness, 2) support all athletes and 3) create a scholarship endowment fund for a male and female high school athlete. The endowment goal would include supporting male and female high school athletes with a collegiate scholarship.

The 34th running of the Hospital Hill Run Half Marathon, 12K, 5K and 1 mile family fun run will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Runner's World has selected the Hospital Hill Run as one of the top half-marathons in the United States.

For more information or to register for The Hospital Hill Run races, log onto HospitalHillRun.com

# # #  

Special thanks to 
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director.
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
http://www.runningusa.org