Team McGraw and Tug's former teammates lacing up to make a difference.



    PHILADELPHIA, July 24 /EMWNews/ -- ING Philadelphia Distance Run

announced that the Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF), founded in honor of

legendary Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Tug McGraw to fund quality of life

research on behalf of brain tumor patients, will be an official charity of

the race beginning with this year's competition on September 21, 2008.



    McGraw is remembered not only for his zany antics and legendary

screwball, but for his passion both on and off the field. A hero to

Philadelphians and to baseball fans across the country, McGraw led the

Phillies to their 1980 World Series Championship with his rallying cry, "Ya

Gotta Believe."



    "Philadelphia meant as much to Tug as he meant to the city, and we hope

everyone is ready to suit up and run through the streets of Philadelphia

with Team McGraw," said TMF Honorary Chairman, Tim McGraw, Tug's son and a

GRAMMY(R) Award-winning artist.



    Members of Team McGraw and representatives of the Philadelphia

Phillies, including ESPN commentator John Kruk and McGraw's former teammate

Greg "The Bull" Luzinski, still a fan favorite and owner of Bull's Barbecue

at Citizens Bank Park will run to raise awareness and funds for both TMF

and Phillies Charities, Inc. Members of Tim McGraw's Band--Jeff McMahon and

Dean Brown--will also be in Philadelphia to take part in the race.



    The ING Philadelphia Distance Run has long been one of the premiere

half marathons in the country. This year's race will mark the thirty-first

running through the streets of Philadelphia. In addition to the scenic and

picturesque course that traverses Center City and the roads along the

Schuylkill River, the race features live bands performing on stages on the

route.



    "Phillies Charities is proud to partner with the Tug McGraw

Foundation," said Gene Dias, Phillies Director of Community Relations and

Phillies Charities Board member. "Tug was one of the most popular players

in Phillies history, and the TMF has done an outstanding job of keeping his

legacy alive through their tireless fundraising efforts."



    There are many sponsorship opportunities for "Team McGraw." For more

information, including registration details and information on a special

discount for Team McGraw members, please write to [email protected].

To register for the ING Philadelphia Distance Run visit,

http://www.ingphiladelphiadistancerun.com or call, (800) 311-1255.



    EDITOR'S NOTE: Coverage is invited and interviews with TMF Foundation

president, Jennifer Brusstar, Dancehall Doctor keyboardist, Jeff McMahon,

Greg Luzinski and John Kruk are available prior to the race and during the

run.

    About the Tug McGraw Foundation



    The Tug McGraw Foundation was established to raise funds for pioneering

brain tumor research, increase public awareness of the disease, and support

students who exemplify leadership and Tug's inspiring "Ya Gotta Believe"

spirit. For more information about the Tug McGraw Foundation, please visit

http://www.tugmcgraw.org.



    Brain tumors are the leading cause of death from solid tumors in

children under age 20 and the third leading cause of all cancer deaths in

young adults ages 20 to 39. Over the past 10 years, brain tumor research

has advanced significantly, yet the reality of living with a brain tumor

remains the same. Brain tumors may alter thought, emotion, memory, movement

and language. Quality of life research is recognized as a needed component

of brain tumor care.



    About Phillies Charities, Inc.



    Phillies Charities, Inc is the charitable arm of The Phillies baseball

club. It raises funds in a variety of ways, including at the annual

Phillies Phestival carnival held at Citizens Bank Park as well as several

other events held throughout the year. In addition to supporting the

Philadelphia chapter of the ALS Association, Phillies Charities provides

dozens of small and large grants each year to mostly-local non-profit

organizations and charities. Some of the organizations that have benefited

in the last several years include the Police Athletic League, Philadelphia

Reads, Philadelphia Futures, American Heart Association and the Richie

Ashburn Foundation.



    About Elite Racing Inc.



    Based in San Diego, Calif., Elite Racing, Inc. is a division of

Competitor Group, Inc., which includes endurance sports publishing leaders

Competitor Magazine and Triathlete Magazine. Elite Racing produces

world-class road racing events for runners and walkers throughout the

United States. Its signature Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series began in 1998

with the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego. Over the past 10 years, the

sports marketing and management company has grown to manage a total of

seven marathons and half marathons including the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll

Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, the

Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon in Nashville, Tenn., the Rock 'n'

Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in San Antonio, Tex., the Rock 'n'

Roll Half Marathons in Virginia Beach, Va. and San Jose, Calif., and the

ING Philadelphia Distance Run. Events feature live bands on entertainment

stages and cheerleaders at every mile along the course and attract between

13,000 and 37,000 participants.



    In addition, Elite Racing also produces the Carlsbad 5000. Known as the

"world's fastest 5K," the Carlsbad 5000 is home to 16 world best times at

the 3.1-mile distance and welcomes over 10,000 runners and walkers to the

streets of Carlsbad, Calif. annually. For more information about Elite

Racing's events visit http://www.eliteracing.com.



    Contacts at Ritz Communication on behalf of the Tug McGraw Foundation

are: Mike Beyer -- (773) 463-4211, [email protected] and

Patty Keiler -- (312) 550-5394, [email protected].



    Contacts for Elite Racing, Inc., are: Ian Monahan -- (800) 311-1255,

[email protected] and Kim Dettwiller -- (615) 330-5656,

[email protected]