Geist Half and St.Vincent Announce Partnership

Today, organizers announced that St.Vincent Health will serve as the lead supporter of this year’s “Race Around the Reservoir” to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, renaming the race the St.Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K.

“St.Vincent Health stepped up with a generous contribution and volunteer commitment,” said Tom Britt, president and founder of the Geist Half Marathon Inc. “Thanks to their support, we’ll be able to expand our reach here in the Geist area to curb childhood obesity.”

Organized to inspire health and wellness in children who live around Geist Reservoir, the St.Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K was sold out last year. The event raised $20,000, which was donated back to Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation and Lawrence Township School Foundation. This year’s race promises to raise more funds with an expanded race field of 6,000 participants and a new race expo to be held the evening prior to the race at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

“As a proud community partner, it is our responsibility to promote active lifestyles and keep Hoosier children healthy,” said Kim Nealon, site director of St.Vincent Medical Center Northeast in Fishers. “We will continue to deliver the highest quality of care to our neighbors, and ensure our outreach efforts support our youth within the surrounding communities.”

St.Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K participants “Race Around the Reservoir” running through established neighborhoods, crossing Geist Reservoir multiple times, and ending at the Geist Marina Village. Deemed one of the most scenic courses in the Midwest, last year’s participants gave the inaugural event a 96.6% approval rating.

Early registration is $45 for the Half Marathon and $25 for the 5K race. To register or volunteer, go online to www.GeistHalf.com.

About the Geist Half Marathon Inc.

The Geist Half Marathon Inc. is an Indiana non-profit organization 501(c)3 with the mission to inspire health and wellness in the children surrounding Geist Reservoir in Indianapolis, Indiana. Working closely with the greater Geist community, the Geist Half Marathon Inc. raises funds to benefit physical fitness programs being jointly implemented within the schools. For more information, visit www.GeistHalf.com.

St.Vincent Health

St.Vincent Health is a nonprofit, spiritually-centered health care system, sponsored by Ascension Health of St. Louis, Missouri, the nation’s largest Catholic health system. St.Vincent Health is Indiana’s largest healthcare employer with 18 health ministries serving 45 counties in central Indiana. The St.Vincent Health ministry includes St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital; Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent; St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana; St.Vincent Medical Center Northeast; St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo; Saint John’s Health System in Anderson; St.Vincent Carmel Hospital; St.Vincent Women’s Hospital; St.Vincent Clay Hospital in Brazil; St.Vincent Frankfort Hospital; St.Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon; St.Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood; St.Vincent New Hope; St.Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester; St.Vincent Stress Center; St.Vincent Williamsport Hospital; and St.Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital.