Saints 5K Announced to Kickoff 2012 NFL Season

 PRESS RELEASE

Saints 5K Announced to Kickoff 2012 NFL Season

• Ochsner Back to Football 5K to finish on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome field on September 8, 2012
• New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee to benefit from portion of proceeds
• Registration opens Thursday, July 12 at NFLrunseries.com

NEW ORLEANS, La. - July 10, 2012 - The New Orleans Saints and Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI), the leading active lifestyle sports media and event entertainment company, today announced a partnership and launch of a new 5K running event to kickoff the 2012 NFL season. The Ochsner Back to Football 5K will be held on Saturday, September 8, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the 2013 New Orleans Super Bowl XLVII Host Committee.

"The introduction and announcement of the Ochsner Back to Football 5K is a unique and festive way to kick off the 2012 Saints season and illustrate our excitement for football, the Saints' commitment to healthcare and our long-standing partnership with Ochsner," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, Owner and Vice Chairman of the New Orleans Saints.  "The journey to Super Bowl XLVII fittingly will begin in Champions Square and end at the 50-yard line of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  We encourage everyone to come out and be a part of the celebration and get the season off on the right foot."

Taking place the day before the Saints' first game of the season against the Washington Redskins, the run will start in Champions Square and conclude with a 50-yard line finish on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome field. A post-race party with live entertainment and a Bud Light Beer Garden will take place after the race in Champions Square, and all participants will receive a "Saints 5K" running shirt.

"Ochsner is committed to the health and wellness of our city," said Warner Thomas, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ochsner Health System. "We are proud to team up with our community partner, the New Orleans Saints, on an exciting event that promotes healthy activity that is accessible to the community."

The event will also include a NFL ‘Play 60' mile fun run for kids. The Saints Back to Football 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, while the kids' race starts at 9:00 a.m., with a 90-minute time limit for both races.

"The Ochsner Back to Football 5k is a great event to bring Saints fans together to celebrate the 2012-2013 football season, leading up to Super Bowl XLVII - New Orleans' Perfect 10^th Super Bowl," said Jay Cicero, Super Bowl Host Committee Executive Director and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. "The Super Bowl XLVII Host Committee thanks Ochsner and the New Orleans Saints for their generosity in selecting us as a benefactor."

The Saints Back to Football 5K is one of many events that the New Orleans Host Committee will be involved with from now until 2013, when New Orleans will host its 10th Super Bowl. The Host Committee will use a portion of the event proceeds to work towards raising $12 million as part of the Super Bowl XLVII bid.

"This partnership with the New Orleans Saints will unite both runners and football fans, and we look forward to welcoming participants of all abilities," said Scott Dickey, CEO of CGI, which operates the Rock ‘n' Roll New Orleans Marathon & ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society. "This new 5K will help further connect fans with their favorite football team and get them involved in an active way to celebrate the official start of the 2012 NFL season."

Registration will open Thursday, July 12 and course details will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit NFLrunseries.com.   

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