B.A.A. Supports Blindfold Challenge Within B.A.A. 5K

BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PROVIDES
OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL NON-PROFITS

THROUGH ITS SUPPORT OF BLINDFOLD CHALLENGE
WITHIN B.A.A. 5K

Event during Boston Marathon® weekend will
include opportunity to raise awareness and funds for blind
or visually impaired children and adults.

 

BOSTON, MASS. ‰ÛÓ
On Saturday, April 19, 2014, the Boston Athletic Association
will support local blindness organizations ‰ÛÓ National Braille
Press, Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Perkins, and The Carroll Center for the Blind ‰ÛÓ by
hosting the third annual blindfold challenge within its B.A.A.
5K.

 

This year, the
B.A.A. 5K start and finish line has been relocated from Copley
Square Park to Boston Common to accommodate a larger field
size. The race begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19,
2014. 

 

On race day, 35
teams of runners, comprised of a blindfolded member with a
sighted guide, will participate in the B.A.A. 5K.  Each team
commits to raising a minimum of $500 to benefit the
participating non-profit organizations.  The pairs of runners
will join a field of 10,000 entrants.  The 2014 B.A.A. 5K has
reached its maximum field size and entry is closed.

 

The B.A.A.’s
inclusion of the blindfold challenge in the B.A.A. 5K will
bring awareness and resources to essential efforts to give
blind or visually impaired children and adults the power to
live more independently.  In the challenge, runners are
connected by a two-foot tether and will run the same course,
at the same time, and under the same circumstances as the
other runners in the 3.1-mile event.  The pair attends one
training session to heighten their awareness of the
capabilities of all people when given the proper tools.

 

“We will once
again partner with these instrumental organizations at the
B.A.A. 5K on Boston Marathon weekend to provide an opportunity
to run in one of Boston’s most anticipated road races of the
year,” said Boston Athletic Association executive director Tom
Grilk. “The many participants that choose to run blindfolded
inspire these organizations and the people with whom they
work.”

 

Proceeds from the
Blindfold Challenge benefit four Boston-based groups that
support the blind and visually impaired:

 

·                                               
Carroll
Center for the Blind

·                                               
MA
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

·                                               
National
Braille Press

·                                               
Perkins
 

 

ABOUT
BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIAITON (B.A.A.)

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a
non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy
lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s
Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and the
organization manages other local events and supports
comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs.
Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has
been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of
the World Marathon Majors, along with the international
marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York
City. The 118th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April
21, 2014.

 

For additional
information on the Boston Marathon®, the B.A.A. and its races
and programs, please visit
www.baa.org.