Two Octogenarians Join Thousands for Securian Frozen
5K, Half Marathon
Runners and spectators urged to bring donations for
Second Harvest Heartland
Jan. 24, 2009 - Thousands of hearty people will
brave Minnesota's cold weather to run in the Securian Frozen 5K and Half
Marathon, today in St. Paul. Two runners in their 80s will be among the
participants - 83-year-old Burt Carlson of Mound, Minn., and 82-year-old
Joy Johnson, from San Jose, California.
Carlson recently completed his 301st marathon in
Negril, Jamaica. He also takes part in Ultra Marathons, which include
races of 62 miles and the Lake Nokomis 24 Hour Race in Minneapolis. He
has raced in all 50 states and in nine countries.
Johnson, who was born and raised in Waconia, Minn.,
finished first in her division in the New York City Marathon in
November. She runs nearly a dozen races each year and says the Securian
Frozen 5K and Half Marathon is one of her favorites. "It's cold as the
dickens, but it's so much fun," she said.
The Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon is a
keystone event of the St. Paul Winter Carnival and is being held the
opening weekend of the 2009 carnival, which takes place January 22 to
February 1st.
The race begins and ends in downtown St. Paul at
Securian Center on the corner of Sixth and Jackson Street.
The
Minneapolis Star Tribune reports this morning,
"The St. Paul Winter
Carnival's King Boreas Grande Day Parade
will run its entire route today, but the
arctic weather is causing festival officials
to shorten the Securian Frozen Half
Marathon.
"The race beginning at 9
a.m. will cover 6.5 miles instead of the
13.1 miles originally planned. The Frozen 5k
at 9:15 a.m. will remain a 3.1-mile race.
Both races begin at 6th and Jackson streets
in downtown St. Paul."
Securian is encouraging all runners and spectators
to bring canned food or cash donations for Second Harvest Heartland, the
Upper Midwest's largest hunger-relief organization.
"The Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon is a fun,
community event, and we welcome spectators and runners of all ages and
abilities to come to St.
Paul and participate," said Lori Koutsky, manager
of the Securian Foundation. "We also hope that people will bring
donations to Second Harvest Heartland to help the many in our community
who are in need."
Securian Financial Group is a long-time supporter
of the Frozen 5K and Half Marathon and of Second Harvest Heartland.
Securian Financial Group (www.securian.com)
helps provide financial security for individuals and businesses in the
form of insurance, retirement plans and investments.
Securian has $708 billion of life insurance in
force, $29 billion in assets under management as of November 30, 2008,
and a work force of 3,500 employees nationwide. Securian serves more
than 7 million individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Jan. 24, 2009 - Thousands of hearty people will
brave Minnesota's cold weather to run in the Securian Frozen 5K and Half
Marathon, today in St. Paul. Two runners in their 80s will be among the
participants - 83-year-old Burt Carlson of Mound, Minn., and 82-year-old
Joy Johnson, from San Jose, California.
"The Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon is a fun,
community event, and we welcome spectators and runners of all ages and
abilities to come to St.