N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2018
11th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run Breaks Records for 2nd Year in a Row
980 Runners Raised $80,000 for Children’s Healthcare at Saratoga Hospital
PHOTO CAPTION: Runners sprint out from the One Mile course start line. A record-breaking 980 runners took part in the 11th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run held in Congress Park on Sunday, June 3. The event raised $80,000 this year – outdistancing the previous record – to benefit pediatric emergency services at Saratoga Hospital and pediatric dental care at Saratoga Hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, June 5, 2018 —On a beautiful day in Congress Park, the 11th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run, presented by New Country Motor Car Group, raised $80,000 on Sunday, June 3, outdistancing the previous record for the second year in a row. Last year, the race raised $76,500, exceeding the $60,000 raised in 2014. Total participation was up, as well, with an impressive 980 registered runners taking part in the race, eclipsing the previous record of 783 participants in 2014.
“We are absolutely thrilled that so many families came out to support pediatric care,” said Heath Ames of Cantina restaurant, who conceived the idea with her husband Jeff and brought it to Saratoga Hospital. “The weather was perfect and it was extraordinary to watch this sea of children and families, all there to help other kids. We love how this community shows up.”
There were over 100 volunteers helping to make sure the event was a success. Since it first started in 2008, the Fun Run has raised nearly $490,000 to benefit pediatric emergency services at Saratoga Hospital, as well as pediatric dental care at Saratoga Hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center.
PHOTO CAPTION: Saratoga Independent School students celebrate their “Healthiest School” victory at Sunday’s Cantina Kids Fun Run event. The Healthiest School contest is a friendly competition that awards a trophy to the school with the highest percentage of participation.
The top finishers in each of the Fun Run events are:
1 Mile Run
Boys Girls
First- Gianangelo Lanza First- Emily Bush
Second- Owen Mongan Second- Madison Nesbitt
Third- Brady Murphy Third- Talia Anderson
¼ Mile Run
Boys Girls
First- Rainier Pyle First- Madison Pyle
Second- Thomas Tyler Second- Vangie Johnson
Third- Bennet Snyder Third- Kate Greiner
Healthiest School Contest (the school with the highest percentage of registered students)
Saratoga Independent School
Jeff and Heath Ames, owners of Cantina restaurant, are the founders of the Fun Run. Major sponsors of the event included New Country Motor Car Group, Millennium Medical Imaging, Adirondack Trust Company, New Country Subaru, and WNYT News Channel 13.
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About Saratoga Hospital Foundation: Saratoga Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga County’s leading healthcare provider. As such, the foundation secures, manages, and distributes charitable gifts to support the mission of Saratoga Hospital and its affiliates. Over the years, the Foundation has raised more than $40 million for Saratoga Hospital programs and facilities, all of which benefit the people of the Saratoga region. For more information, visit www.saratogahospitalfoundation.org.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Saratoga Hospital
Office: 518-583-8679
Cell: 518-603-3113
phopper@saratogahospital.org
Klare Ingram
Saratoga Hospital Foundation
518-583-8765
kingram@saratogacare.org