July 17 2010 - National Press Club to 'Beat the Deadline' with 5K Charity Race

The National Press Club, the world's leading professional organization for journalists, goes on the record with its annual "Beat the Deadline 5K," Saturday, July 17, in the heart of the nation's capitol.

"We welcome everyone to have a good time for a great cause," said Richard S. Dunham, president of the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library board. "Our race sponsors and participants play a major role in helping us fulfill our commitment to diversity in journalism and cutting-edge training programs."

The nation's premier race saluting journalists and their news sources attracts national news personalities, media professionals, politicians, and pundits. Among this year's exclusive celebrity lineup are CNN's Jill Dougherty, Newsweek's Eleanor Clift, ABC News' Jonathan Karl and Rick Klein, Washington Post 'MisFits' Vick Hallett and Lenny Bernstein, K Street Kate, and ABC/WJLA's Courtney Robinson.

Race marshal and celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of P90X Extreme Home Fitness, will lead competitors in a pre-race warm up at 7:45 a.m. The race begins at 8:00 a.m. with a route that winds along Pennsylvania Avenue between the National Press Building and the U.S. Capitol. For the first time at this year's event, officials will implement chip timing for race participants.

Race proceeds go to NPC's non-profit Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library to benefit training and scholarships for journalism. Major event sponsors include Bloomberg, C-SPAN, Kiplinger, McGraw-Hill, Roll Call, Texas on the Potomac, P90X, Sysco, Toyota, State Department Federal Credit Union, All American League of Lobbyists, John Farr Lighting Design, NBWA America Beer Distributors, and Quadrangle.

For complete race details and online registration, visit www.press.org/5K. Participants are invited to a post-race Awards Ceremony and breakfast in the National Press Club. Top finalists will receive cash awards, and all registrants are eligible for door prize drawings.

As part of "Beat the Deadline" weekend, Horton will address a National Press Club Speakers Series luncheon at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 16. The fitness trainer will call for the development of a functional fitness physical training program within the U.S. military. For reservations, contact reservations@press.org or 202.662.7501.