News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:
 August 26, 2011
CONTACT: Katie McKenna
kmckenna@topsmarkets.com

   
TOPS MARKETS JOINS FORCES WITH ROSWELL PARK AND TEAM CURE CHALLENGE TO HELP ‘OUTRUN’ CANCER
2011 Tops 5k/10k road race expected to draw more than 1,000 participants and raise more than $100,00

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, will hold the fourth Tops 5k/10k run/walk at Tops’ corporate headquarters in Williamsville, NY on Saturday, August 27, 2011. More than 1,000 participants are expected to attend and Tops and Roswell hope to raise more than $100,000 at this year’s event, which would more than triple the amount raised at this event since Tops teamed up with Roswell in 2009. All proceeds from the race will benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

“The response from the community for this year’s race has truly been overwhelming,” said Kathleen Graim race director and community relations specialist for Tops Markets. “We have a strong partnership with Roswell Park and the kindness and generosity of our associates, local partners and neighbors will undoubtedly enable us to reach our goal of raising more than $100,000 at the event this year.”

In 2007 Tops’ first road race drew just 100 participants, raised $1,000 and the proceeds were donated to the western New York chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In 2009 Tops teamed up with Roswell Park’s Team Cure Challenge, and Roswell Park Cancer Institute became the beneficiary of proceeds raised at the event. In 2009 the race drew 485 participants and raised $32,000. In 2010 the race drew 925 participants and together Tops and Roswell raised $81,000.

Cancer-charity running programs have gained popularity nationally and are leading the fight against this devastating disease. According to a July, 2011 Runner’s World article, the financial contribution runners and donors are making to fight cancer totals more than $650 million annually.

“We are incredibly lucky to have an renowned cancer research hospital that offers state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and employs some of the most talented medical and research professionals in the world right in our back yard,” said Frank Curci, Tops president and CEO. “It is important to us that we help give back to fellow local organizations, and we will continue to support Roswell in any way we can.”

This year, Tops will be awarding the event’s top fundraiser(s) with the first, inaugural award dedicated to Michele Musial wife of Chris Musial, president and general manager at WIVB & WNLO. Michele recently lost her battle with cancer and her life and memory will be honored at this year’s race.

The race will be held on Saturday, August 27 at Tops corporate headquarters at 6363 Main Street in Williamsville, NY. Individuals interested in participating can register on race day. Registration fee is $25.00. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. for both 5k and 10k participants and immediately following the race there will be refreshments and an awards ceremony.

Major sponsors for this year’s race include: WIVB/WNLO, Entercom Communications, Joe's Deli and Pepsi.

Tops Markets, LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 132 full-service supermarkets – 126 company-owned and six franchise locations. With more than 14,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.

 

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