FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gear West High School Running Series

On June 24th Gear West Ski and Run is kicking off a summer running series for high schoolers in an effort to encourage young runners to continue running in college. Working with Blaine-based sponsor, Tamarack Habilitation Tech, the series will award $1000 in scholarship money to the top runners.

"We hope to get the high school runners that are on the fence about continuing in college," Brian "Speedy" McCollor, Gear West running specialist, adding, "it's important to support young runners and we hope to continue the event in the future."

The series has five races spread throughout the metro area, ending with an awards ceremony at Gear West's annual non-competitive Pig Out Trail Run. At the trail run the top boys and top girls will be announced and receive scholarship donations. First place will receive $250, with 2nd place receiving $150 and $100 for 3rd. All runners who entered at least three races will receive a complimentary gear bag.

Tamarack, makers of Engo blister prevention patches, is helping provide the scholarship money and will also be giving out Engo patches to the runners. "It is a great opportunity for us to introduce and educate students on a breakthrough product and to do something good for the community", said Jason Pawelsky, Associate Marketing Manager for Tamarack.

"We are hoping the series will spark even more interest in the young runners of Minnesota," said Dennis Green of Gear West. "We want to see them develop and reach beyond their potential."

Gear West will have registration tables at all the races in the series for runners to enter the series. For more information visit www.gearwest.com/hsseries.htm or contact Brian McCollor at [email protected]
or (952) 473-0377.

Gear West High School Running Series
June 24 - Minnetonka Summer Festival 8K
July 4 - Blaine 4th of July 5K
July 16 - Hopkins Raspberry Festival 5 mile
July 29 - Bigtooth Sweet Tooth 5K in Elk River
Aug 6 - Hennepin-Lake Classic 5K
Aug 9 - Gear West Pig Out Trail Run*

*Non-competitive