Hyundai Hope On Wheels Hosts 5K Run/Walk In Chicago To Benefit Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital

CHICAGO, Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels® will host its 2012 5K Run/Walk Series in Chicago on Sunday, September 9, at 7:45 a.m. in conjunction with the 16^th Annual Chicago Half Marathon. The 5K Run/Walk will start and finish at Jackson Park, where the post-race award ceremony and activities will also be held. All proceeds from the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Chicago will benefit Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, a leader in innovative pediatric cancer research and treatment.

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"We are excited to host our first 5K in Chicago, especially since it will  benefit our longstanding partner Lurie Children's, a true leader in pediatric cancer research," said Zafar Brooks, Program Director, Hyundai Hope On Wheels. "Bringing the entire community together to raise awareness and funds for children, parents and doctors battling this terrible disease is a key element of Hyundai's mission. We invite the entire Chicago community to come out on race day and help support this important cause."

Race weekend will kick off on Friday, September 7, with the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Health and Fitness Expo, which will be held at Navy Pier. At the Expo, runners and walkers can register for the 5K, enjoy great food, shop at vendor booths and get health and fitness advice from experts.

On race day, participants will run and walk along scenic Lakeshore Drive. They will also have the opportunity to partake in a variety of post-race activities, including live entertainment, vendor booths, giveaways and an exclusive VIP tent for runners and walkers who register to be a part of Hope On Wheels' Team Hope.

During the post-race activities, Hope On Wheels will also host its signature Handprint Ceremony with doctors, patients and families from Lurie Children's. Also in attendance will be the 2011 Hope On Wheels National Youth Ambassador, Brianna Commerford. As part of the ceremony, a check will be presented to the hospital. Historically, Hope On Wheels has donated more than $1 million to Lurie Children's in support of groundbreaking pediatric cancer research that could contribute to breakthrough discoveries and treatments.

"Lurie Children's is incredibly honored and grateful for Hope On Wheels' ongoing support and the opportunity to benefit from their first 5K in Chicago," said Dr. Morris Kletzel, Director, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Lurie Children's. "Hope On Wheels' commitment and generous funding has a huge impact here in the community, develops our programs that directly affect patient care and enables us to make real strides in finding a cure."

Runners and walkers of all ages and levels are invited to participate and become a part of Team Hope by either registering for the race or making a fundraising pledge. Interested participants can sign up for the 5K at www.HyundaiRun4Hope.org. The entry fee is $35 before Sunday, September 2, and $40 thereafter.  

Participants who want to raise additional funds can also visit the website to set up a fundraising page. All participants who pledge to raise additional funds will be eligible for six levels of prizes, including exclusive Team Hope apparel as well as running gear and accessories from Brooks and Sportline. One grand prize winner will receive a trip to New York City to attend the 2013 Hyundai Hope On Wheels kick-off event.

For more information about the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk in Chicago as well as the rest of the series, including registration and pledge details, please visit www.HyundaiRun4Hope.org.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. Now in its 15^th year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have raised $57 million in total donations for childhood cancer research by the end of 2012. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About Lurie Children's
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children's Memorial Hospital, is a 23-story, state-of-the-art hospital located in downtown Chicago on the campus of its academic partner, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Lurie Children's is ranked as one of the nation's top children's hospitals in the U.S.News & World Report 2012-13 Honor Roll rankings. Lurie Children's provides pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. The hospital relies on philanthropic support to care for more than 148,000 children each year. For more information, visit luriechildrens.org.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America