Philadelphia's Largest Earth Day Celebration Provides Fun for All Ages

The 32^nd Annual 5K Run for Clean Air offers free registration for runners and walkers 60 and over and now includes a Kids' Fun Run.

PHILADELPHIA, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 5K Run for Clean Air, a certified-green run and the Philadelphia area's largest Earth Day celebration, will take place on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 9 a.m.  In its 32^nd year, this event is a celebration of sustainable and healthy neighborhoods, clean air and improvements in the region's overall environmental health.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130411/DC93346)

For a second year, SCA, a global hygiene and sustainable forest products company with Americas headquarters in Philadelphia, is the Platinum Sponsor and will cover the 5K Run and 3K Walk for Clean Air registration fee for participants age 60 and over.  The company is committed to caring for people and nature through support of events such as the Clean Air Run.

"As one of the region's greenest companies, we share the Clean Air Council's passion for sustainability and commitment to the local community," says Don Lewis, President of SCA Americas. "Our support of this event is an ideal way to commemorate Earth Day in Philadelphia and it's our hope many people will participate and consider taking public transportation to help support clean air in Philadelphia."

"Clean Air Council is thrilled to be able to engage more participants and bring them to our Earth Day celebration through SCA's generous support," said Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Clean Air Council Executive Director.  "It is important to the Council that we can educate all ages and keep this is as a family event."

Last year, SCA sponsored more than 70 Run participants in the age 60 and over category.

"I love the Clean Air Council's Run," said Shelly White, a long-time participant. "My Mother and her sister loved the walk and so appreciated being able to participate for free.  They proudly wear their t-shirts and feel a real sense of accomplishment for having participated in their first race."

SCA will also help the Clean Air Council and the City make the Run a zero-waste event, thanks to its innovative outdoor waste bin stations, which are used for trash, composting and recycling collection. The stations launched at the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2012 and are used during events  in Philadelphia, a part of SCA's effort to help the City better sort and reduce waste, and move closer to being the greenest city in America.

New for 2013, a Kids' Fun Run has been added to the celebration. Mom's Clean Air Force, a group of over 120,000 parents banding together to protect our children's health from toxic air pollution, is sponsoring the inaugural Kids' Fun Run. The Kids' Fun Run includes a ½ mile sprint for ages 5-12 and a 250 yard dash for ages 5 and under.

"This family-friendly day is an opportunity for the region to celebrate spring, support the environment, and promote exercise," said Gretchen Dahlkemper-Alfonso, Mom's Clean Air Force Field Director.  There is something for every fitness level:  a competitive 5K run, an enjoyable 3K walk, and now a Kids' Fun Run."

The Run, in its 32^nd year, has made some exciting changes for 2013. The staging area and Earth Day Celebration will be held at the base of the iconic Art Museum steps.  This picturesque location is just a few steps from the start/finish line and provides an expanded new space for more activities, exhibitors, food and fun.

Registration and more information are available at www.5KRunforCleanAir.org.

About Clean Air Council
Clean Air Council is a member-supported, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting everyone's right to breathe clean air. The Council works through public education, community advocacy, and government oversight to ensure enforcement of environmental laws.

About SCA in North America
SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company that develops and produces personal care products, tissue and forest products.  In North America, SCA produces the Tork® line of dispensers, towels, tissue, soap, napkins and wipers used in commercial settings such as office buildings, restaurants, schools and healthcare facilities and the TENA® line of incontinence care products used by consumers at home and in healthcare facilities. TENA and Tork are the global leading brands in their categories. 

With 170 employees at its Americas headquarters in Philadelphia at the Cira Centre, a certified LEED-CI Gold building, SCA cultivates strong partnerships with organizations sharing the same commitment to sustainability, such as the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Eagles, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful and the Clean Air Council.

Contact: Katie Edwards
 (215) 567-4004 ext. 102

SOURCE Clean Air Council