BRRRING it on! 83-year-old Californian to Run in Securian Frozen 5k & Half Marathon

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite race day temperatures of 12 below zero last year and getting frostbite, Joy Johnson, age 83, will run again in the Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon, January 23, 2010 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Johnson, of San Jose, California, will join about 2,000 runners - including fellow octogenarian Burt Carlson, 84 of Mound, MN - in the race that began 30 years ago with 50 runners and is now a keystone event of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, taking place January 21 - 31.

The race begins and ends in downtown St. Paul's Securian Center at the corner of Sixth and Jackson Streets. The half marathon begins at 9:00 a.m. and the 5K begins at 9:15 a.m.

Johnson says the Securian Half Marathon is one of her favorites.

"The cold doesn't slow me down," said Johnson who was born and raised in Waconia, MN. "I love to run; it's all about the camaraderie." She runs nearly a dozen races each year, including the New York City Marathon, Grandma's Marathon and the Twin Cities Marathon.

Carlson recently completed his 311th marathon in Negril, Jamaica. He also takes part in the Lake Nokomis 24 Hour Race in Minneapolis and ultra marathons that include 62-mile races. He has raced in all 50 states and nine countries.

"We're thrilled to have Joy and Burt and the thousands of other runners participate in the Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon. It's a great community event and we welcome spectators and runners of all ages and abilities to come downtown and participate," said Lori Koutsky, manager of the Securian Foundation and Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon organizer.

One hundred and twenty two volunteers including Securian employees and their friends and family will register runners, hand out numbers, and staff the water stops along the course.

Register for the event by downloading a form at Securian.com and mailing it in or register online at active.com. Runners and spectators also are encouraged to visit the Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon page on Facebook and post photos and comments.

Since 1880, Securian Financial Group and its affiliates have provided financial security for individuals and businesses in the form of insurance, investments and retirement plans. Now one of the nation's largest financial services providers, it is the holding company parent of a group of companies that include Minnesota Life Insurance Company, Advantus Capital Management, Allied Solutions, Capital Financial Group, Cherokee National Life Insurance Company, CNL/Insurance America, Personal Finance Company, Securian Financial Services, Inc., Securian Trust Company, Securian Casualty Company, and Securian Life Insurance Company.

SOURCE Securian Financial Group, Inc.