Co-Founder of Cupid's Undie Run Wins Runner's World Cover Search

NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On October 29, Runner's World announced Bobby Gill, co-founder of Cupid's Undie Run, as one of two winners of the 2015 cover search.

After months of deliberation, judges selected the top ten finalists from more than 1,600 entrants. Two of the finalists were selected by RW readers, who cast more than 250,000 votes for their favorites.

"The process was brutal," said Bart Yasso, RW chief running officer. "There are no losers, but we had to choose a winner."

Recognized for his passion for running, gift of endurance and philanthropic use of the sport, Gill emerged as the male winner.  

"Being on the cover of Runner's World is a tremendous opportunity to increase awareness of Cupid's Undie Run and our efforts to fund neurofibromatosis (NF) research," said Gill.

Cupid's Undie Run is a one-mile fun-run on Valentine's Day weekend to raise donations to the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) and awareness of NF – a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, which can lead to blindness, deafness, cancer and chronic pain. The run is coupled with an all-day party for runners to celebrate their fundraising.

To date, the nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit has raised more than $8 million to fund NF research.

"What started as a small event in 2010 to help a friend has grown into a fundraising phenomenon that includes the support of the NF community and hundreds of volunteers," said Gill.  

That friend was Drew Leathers, brother of Chad Leathers, executive director of Cupid's Undie Run. In 2009, Drew became paraplegic during his battle with NF and was bedridden for the remainder of the year. Determined to help, Gill and friends rallied to create an event that would support NF research. After 30 days of planning, the first Cupid's Undie Run was held in Washington, D.C . with more than 650 runners and three-feet of snow.

As Cupid's Undie Run experienced an upswing, so did Drew's health. But in the summer of 2015, Drew's cancerous tumors returned. Drew passed away on August 25, 2015.

This February, Gill will join more than 25,000 scantily clad runners in 36 U.S. cities and three Australian cities to honor Drew and continue the fight against NF in the way Drew would have wanted…wearing just undies. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151029/281827

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