NEW YORK (June 10, 2006) — The American Legacy Foundation® joined with New York Road Runners (NYRR) in sponsoring the Circle of Friends® New York Mini 10k, one of the most popular races on the New York running circuit, on Saturday, June 10. This joint effort seeked to raise awareness and funds for programs and services to help women quit smoking.

In addition to world class competitors, the Mini10K attracts participants of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels, including women completing the distance for the first time. Participants can either run in the Mini 10K (women only), walk the 2.6 mile co-ed Fun Walk, or cheer from the co-ed Fan Zones. For some, the Mini10K counts toward the ING New York City Marathon guaranteed entry eligibility for NYRR members. Participants also have the opportunity to raise donations for the American Legacy Foundation® by creating personalized fundraising Web pages on www.mini10k.org.

“Through the Mini10K people can run, walk or cheer to affirm their commitment to this important cause,” said Cheryl Healton, Dr. P.H., President and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation®. “All have the ability to celebrate and honor loved ones, as well as themselves, within a supportive community of individuals by running or walking the race, or just cheering participants on during the race. It all adds up to a great day of entertainment, support and inspiration.”

This year’s Mini10K also includes the Winning Circles program, a group of seven women from New York’s five boroughs who pledged in March to quit smoking and train for their first road race. The women, ranging in age from their 20s to their 50s, meet weekly to train and attend quit smoking support sessions – proving that social support makes quitting that much more likely.

While more than 400,000 people, including 178,000 women, in the U.S. die every year from tobacco-related diseases, including heart disease, cancers, emphysema and stroke, research also shows that smokers are up to 50 percent more likely to quit when they have social support from family and friends.

The American Legacy Foundation®, the largest national public health foundation dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit, created the Circle of Friends® initiative to help women live smoke-free and highlight the importance of supporting friends and loved ones who are trying to quit smoking. Through events such as the Mini10K and many others, the American Legacy Foundation® seeks to educate the public regarding the devastating toll of tobacco use and effective ways to quit successfully.

Interested parties can register for the Mini10K or the Fun Walk online at www.mini10k.org or in-person at New York Road Runners at 9 East 89th Street in Manhattan. Discounted registration is available before May 30, featuring the following fees: $11 for NYRR members; $7 for junior or senior NYRR members; and $20 for non-members. Limited registration may be available on the day of the race.

On race day, Saturday, June 10, check-in/registration will occur from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the registration tent in Central Park across from Tavern on the Green (West Drive at 67th Street). The race begins at 9:00 a.m. Participants will also be able to visit the Sunburst Village, an oasis in the middle of Central Park where runners, walkers, Fan Zone members, celebrities and VIPs meet and mingle.

Mini10K History

This year, the Mini10K celebrates its 34-year anniversary with NYRR. In 1972, the race - then called the 6-Mile Crazylegs Mini Marathon—debuted as the world's first road race exclusively for female participants. Since then, the Mini10K has been a model for mass-participation women's road races around the world, attracting the best runners, Olympians, World Champions and world record holders. Last year celebrated World Class athlete Lornah Kiplagat of Kenya, world record holder in the 5K, 10 mile, and 20 mile distances, won the Mini 10k. This year, U.S. Olympic competitors Jen Rhines, Kate O’Neill and Amy Rudolph will be among the elite athletes running the Mini10K.

About American Legacy Foundation®

The American Legacy Foundation® is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington, D.C., the foundation develops programs that address the health effects of tobacco use through grants, technical assistance and training, youth activism, strategic partnerships, counter-marketing and grassroots marketing campaigns, public relations, and outreach to populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco.

The foundation’s national programs include Circle of Friends®, Great Start®, a Priority Populations Initiative, Streetheory® and truth®. The American Legacy Foundation was created as a result of the November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys general from 46 states, five US territories, and the tobacco industry. Visit www.americanlegacy.org.

About Circle of Friends®

Circle of Friends® is an initiative developed by the American Legacy Foundation® to highlight the toll of tobacco use on women, and the importance of supporting friends and loved ones who are trying to quit smoking. Circle of Friends® activities are designed to encourage women to quit smoking and provide smokers and their supporters with information to help them quit. Visit www.join-the-circle.org for more information or call 1-800-243-7000.

About New York Road Runners

Founded in 1958 with a membership of 47, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is one of the world’s foremost running organizations. NYRR is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of running and walking for health, recreation, and competition, and provides full professional services related to all aspects of racing. The organization has a full-time staff of more than 60 employees, supplemented by a network of thousands of volunteers, serving more than 39,000 members from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries.