Fireball Run Charities Confirmed; Registration Deadline Approaching
One of the largest transcontinental motoring events in America, Fireball Run is a nine day, 18-city, 3,500-mile “adventurally.” The 2010 American Heroes Challenge begins in Henderson, Nevada on September 23 and ends in Galena, Illinois on October 2. Cedar Rapids was selected as an official over-night, “Destination” city for this one-of-a-kind event and will play host to the over 150 participants on October 1 and 2.
On Friday, October 1, over 50 teams will roar into downtown Cedar Rapids, bringing CEOs, celebrities and major investors to our community. Participants will compete in various top secret missions throughout the Cedar Rapids area, exposing them to all the culture, recreation and industry our community has to offer, as well as potential investment and economic development opportunities.
The event is more than big names and fast cars though - the overarching mission is to spread awareness of America’s missing children. To date, Fireball Run has aided in the recovery of 32 children. Players also contribute to local and regional children’s organizations, donating thousands of toys, musical instruments, and books throughout the country.
Event organizers have chosen Four Oaks and St. Luke’s Child Protection Center as the local benefiting charities; exactly what racers will need to do to help these organizations will be kept under wraps until race day.
“St. Luke's Child Protection Center is thrilled to be one of the recipients of this wonderful charity event!” said Director Sue Tesdahl. “The abused and neglected children we serve are very deserving of this amazing expression of support and caring."
“This is an exciting opportunity for our kids to be part of a national event,” said Lisa Pritchard, public relations and marketing manager at Four Oaks. “While there are many examples of how our local partners work with us to improve the lives of kids and families, I suspect this event will be unlike anything we’ve ever done. It will be thrilling to see our kids interact with the participants and sit in some amazing vehicles.”
As part of the festivities, several special community events are being planned for downtown Cedar Rapids. Friday night will feature a finish line welcome celebration in Green Square Park, a downtown bar crawl, and a VIP reception at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Saturday morning racers will leave Cedar Rapids with a true hero’s sendoff.
Teams can register for the 2010 Fireball Run American Heroes Challenge through the end of July. The entry-fee is $8,000 per team, and each team has the opportunity to represent a different missing child from their area.
“Having a local team from Cedar Rapids in the event would be great exposure for our community, and would ensure that a missing child from our area receives national attention,” said Susan Lloyd, convention marketing manager at the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The local portion of this national event is presented by Corridor CoWorks, and is being organized by the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Cedar Rapid Downtown District, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Priority One. A limited number of additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
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About Fireball Run:
The Fireball Run Adventurally is a national event headquartered at the NBC/Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and safety sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC). Part Cannonball Run, part Amazing Race, Fireball Run brings teams from across the country to compete in an interactive, mission-based game as they race from city to city. The 2010 American Heroes Challenge begins on September 23 in Henderson, Nevada, and will make stops in Williams, Arizona, Gallup, New Mexico, Lubbock, Texas, Dodge City, Kansas, and Chesterfield, Missouri before racing to Cedar Rapids and eventually finishing in Galena, Illinois. For more information, please visit www.fireballrun.com.
