"Top Chef All-Stars" Winner Richard Blais to Run in NYC Marathon to Help End Childhood Obesity

Blais Leads Team of First-Time Marathoners Running to Support the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Celebrity chef Richard Blais will lead a team of five first-time marathoners to raise funds in support of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's fight against childhood obesity. The "Top Chef All-Stars" winner will lead Team Healthier Generation, a volunteer group of fundraising runners who are passionate about helping young people get access to physical activity and nutritious food. The team has a combined fundraising goal of more than $50,000 and anyone can help contribute online at www.HealthierGeneration.org.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to address one of the nation's leading public health threats – childhood obesity. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child's health: homes, schools, doctor's offices and communities.

"As a chef and father of two young children, health and nutrition is a huge part of my life," said Blais. "I am excited to be working together with the Alliance to promote the importance of health, fitness and general well-being for today's kids. Plus, this will be my very first marathon! I hope we get tons of support."

"Richard Blais and the other Team Healthier Generation athletes are dedicating their time and sweat to solve the childhood obesity epidemic. They along with those who sponsor them—will help us support healthier schools and empower young people to make healthy choices," said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of the Alliance.

To support Richard Blais on his run and learn about his training routine visit:

www.HealthierGeneration.org and at www.crowdrise.com/rblais.

About Richard Blais, Atlanta, Georgia – Perhaps most recognizable as the recent winner of Bravo's "Top Chef All-Stars," Richard Blais has played an influential role in hospitality for the last 15 years. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Richard has trained at French Laundry, Daniel, Chez Panisse, and el Bulli. Blais currently owns and operates Trail Blais, a forward-thinking culinary company that has consulted on, designed, and operated some of Atlanta's most popular eateries including multiple outposts of Flip Burger Boutique. He will be opening The Spence, a new restaurant concept in Midtown Atlanta, in winter 2012. Blais' debut cookbook, scheduled to be published in November 2012. Blais has appeared on Food Network, Discovery Science and CNN and in numerous publications including The New York Times, InStyle and Food & Wine magazine.

About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to address one of the nation's leading public health threats – childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child's health: homes, schools, doctor's offices and communities. To learn more about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, visit www.HealthierGeneration.org.

SOURCE Alliance for a Healthier Generation