April 3, 2014
For immediate release

Congressman also plans to run race that helps fund children’s hospitals

Congressman Ami Bera is ready to serve as the official starter for the fourth annual Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run on Sunday.

Bera, a doctor who lives in Elk Grove and represents California’s 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, also plans to run in the race with his wife Janine.

The race, put on by the Sacramento Running Association and sponsored by local credit unions, helps race money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which include UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

The event begins at 8 a.m. at the state Capitol.

Bera, the only Indian American serving in Congress, previously served as chief medical officer for Sacramento County.

The Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run is held on the same day as the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, D.C., which also helps raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Since the Credit Union National Association became a sponsor in 2002, the Cherry Blossom race has raised more than $6 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an affiliation of children’s hospitals throughout the country. Each year these non-profit hospitals provide state-of-the-art care, cutting edge research and preventative health education.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat more than 17 million patients each year, including 98 percent of all children needing heart or lung transplants and 88 percent of all children with cancer.

The Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run, which models itself after the Cherry Blossom race, helped raise more than $180,000 last year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Registration for the Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run is $50 online until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday at www.sactown10.org. Runners can also sign up for a three-person relay for $120 per team.

A Miracle Mile for kids 13 and under is free for anyone registering by Friday at 11:59 p.m. and $10 at packet pickup and on race day.

The 10-mile SACTOWN course starts and finishes near the state Capitol, with runners going through midtown and east Sacramento.

The race will serve as USA Track & Field’s Pacific Association Ten-Mile Championship and features a $15,000 purse.

The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.