Runners Team up with Miami Marlins President David Samson

Organizers for David Samson's "Run to Honor the Workers" announced today the participants who will run with him throughout the April 27th event. A total of 17 runners are now confirmed to join Samson, each representing a charity of choice.

Samson will run 50 miles to raise funds in honor of the construction workers who made Marlins Park a reality. 100% of the proceeds raised will be donated to the 10 Charities of Choice. To date, the run has raised over $500,000 through sponsor and individual donations. The Run to Honor the Workers is sponsored by Leon Medical Centers, Jeffrey H. Loria, Pepsi, Populous & Hunt/ Moss, Rose & Harry Samson Family and the Wasserman Media Group.

The first leg of the run will start at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and AIA in Pompano Beach (start time TBA) and conclude at home plate of Marlins Park prior to the 7:10 PM Marlins/ Diamondbacks game. The run will consist of five-mile intervals dedicated to a specific Charity of Choice, with a runner representing that specific charity joining David for the five-mile leg.

"I am extremely thankful for the support of those who have decided to run with me, as I will surely be leaning on them to get me through the day," said Samson. "I have a great opportunity to raise awareness and money for these very deserving causes, and being able to share this day with those men and women who made Marlins Park a reality is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I want to especially thank the sponsors and individual donors for their incredible generosity and for making such a positive impact in our community and around the world."

Charities of Choice and Designated Runners:

Jewish Federation of Broward County (Miles 0-5) - Larry Beinfest:  President of Baseball Operations, Miami Marlins and finisher of the 2010 New York City Marathon.

Stand Up To Cancer (Miles 5-10) – Dave McGillivray:  Race Director of the Boston Marathon since 1988. Dave successfully ran across the USA in 1978 and has raised millions of dollars for charity through his athletic achievements.

Challenged Athletes Foundation (Miles 10-15) – Sarah Reinertsen: First female leg amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in 2005.

ALS Recovery Fund (Miles 15-20) – Jose Perez, Albert Perez & Allen Popowitz: Jose G. and Albert J. Perez have been raising money for the ALS Recovery Fund since 1997.  After losing their father to ALS in 2001, they have continued their efforts and have raised over $3.3 million dollars for ALS Research… Popowitz serves on the Board of Directors for the ALS Association of the Greater New York Chapter and has run five marathons: four New York City Marathons and the latest was the 2009 Boston Marathon.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Miles 20-25) – Michael Hill & John Silverman: Both Hill and Silverman are veteran marathoners having completed several with Samson including the 2009 Boston Marathon and 2010 New York City Marathon. Hill is Vice President, General Manager of the Miami Marlins and Silverman serves as the Marlins equipment manager.

The Miami Foundation – Miami Fellows Scholarships (Miles 25-30) – Javier Soto & P.J. Loyello: Soto is President of the Miami Foundation and has completed the Chicago and Boston Marathons… Loyello is the Marlins Sr. VP, Communications and Broadcasting and has run three marathons with Samson: Miami, Boston and NY City.

Miami Children’s Hospital (Miles 30-35) – M. Narendra Kini, MD, President/ CEO Miami Children’s Hospital.

University of Miami Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence (Miles 35-40) – Daryl Eisenberg, Tracy Nathanson & Allison Wallach. Eisenberg was diagnosed with MS 16 years ago and will run with her sisters Tracy, a veteran of 10 marathons, and Allison who has completed three marathons including the 2010 NYC Marathon with Samson. 

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (Miles 40-45) – Bret Parker: Serves as Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Elizabeth Arden, Inc. A veteran of four New York City Marathons all run with Samson, Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease five years ago and has been Samson’s closest friend for over 30 years. Parker publicly disclosed his condition today as part of his participation in this run.  

Liga Contra el Cancer (Miles 45-50) – Jeff Conine & Hannah Samson: Conine is a former MLB great and is known around South Florida as “Mr. Marlin” for winning the 1997 & 2003 World Series with the Marlins. He has raised millions of dollars for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and completed the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, HI in 2008. Hannah will proudly run by her father's side for the toughest five miles of the day.

How to Donate:
Pledges can be made at marlins.com/samsonrun. Log on to the site and select one of 10 charities and the amount of the donation. If you have any questions about your donation please e-mail [email protected].

About David Samson:
Samson is President of the Miami Marlins and the Marlins Foundation. Samson has run many marathons across the country including four New York City Marathons, the Boston Marathon and the Miami Marathon. Earlier this year, he completed the Disney "Goofy Challenge" that consisted of a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday. Also, in 2006, he became the first active team President to complete the Ford Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.  In addition to swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and then running a full marathon, all in 15 hours, 36 minutes, Samson personally raised over $250,000 for the Marlins Foundation, the Challenged Athletes Foundation ("CAF") and other local Hawaiian charities.

Samson concentrates his charitable efforts on helping underprivileged and sick children experience summer camp and improve education and health care. In addition, he is member of the CAF's Board of Directors. In 2009 he was appointed to serve on the Board of Governors of the Miami Foundation and in 2010, Samson was named to the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law’s Board of Overseers.  Samson also serves on the Miami Children's museum Board of Directors.