(9-8-09) From Press Release - As runners take their start at the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon on November 29, a very special group will also be participating thousands of miles away on the streets of Baghdad. The Seattle Marathon Association is extremely proud to announce the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon Shadow Run in Baghdad.
At the request of U.S. soldiers based there, the marathon is introducing its first "Shadow Run," which means soldiers will participate in the marathon from the military base in Iraq on November 29. Soldiers will be registered runners for the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon. They will receive everything that the runners in Seattle will be given including finisher medals, filled goody bags and participant shirts. They will also have their race results posted along with other runners on the SMA Web site.
Mark Piccone, a Washington state resident, Apache attack helicopter pilot and avid runner, had planned to run in this year's Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon - but then he was deployed on his second tour in Iraq. He contacted the Seattle Marathon Association and Amica to propose a "shadow run" at Camp Victory, which is located near Baghdad International Airport.
U.S. service members on the base are currently signing up to participate in the marathon (either a full or half marathon). The race in Baghdad will mirror the race events in Seattle - with a pre-race pasta party and entertainment along the route. Because of the time difference, the Baghdad race will actually finish ahead of the Seattle Marathon, so there will be video of the Baghdad race and the soldiers' results will be posted on race day in Seattle.
"Amica is extremely proud to support the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon Shadow Run at Victory Base in Baghdad," said Bob DiMuccio, chairman, president and CEO of Amica Insurance. "Our employees countrywide are getting involved by creating care packages that contain essentials for U.S. soldiers involved in the marathon."
The Seattle Marathon Association has designed Baghdad Shadow Run shirts as a way for everyone to get involved and show their support for the troops. These shirts will celebrate the connection between Seattle runners and Baghdad soldiers. The shirts are selling for $16.50 and can be seen and purchased online here: http://www.seattlemarathon.org/marathon/baghdad.htm.
Two dollars from the sale of each shirt will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, that supports programs and services for injured U.S. servicemen and women.
About Amica Insurance:
Amica Mutual Insurance Company, the nation's oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907. The company is a national writer of automobile, homeowners, marine, and personal umbrella liability insurance. Life coverage is available through Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. Amica employs more than 3,200 people in 39 offices across the country.
About the Seattle Marathon Association:
The Seattle Marathon Association (SMA) is a non profit organization governed by a ten member Board of Directors. It is proud of its commitment to providing a quality running event in the Pacific Northwest, providing our sponsors with maximum exposure in association with the event and making a positive social and economic impact on the city of Seattle. The Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon, Marathon Walk, Half Marathon and Half Marathon Walk will take place Sunday, November 29, 2009. The marathon course is USATF- and AIMS-certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Visit www.seattlemarathon.org to find out more about the race and sign up as a participant.
About Wounded Warrior Project:
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
