First Lady to Run the New York City Marathon For Mariah’s Challenge

Wyoming First Lady Carol Mead is running in the ING New York City Marathon November 4, 2012. She is running as part of a charity team whose mission is to reduce underage drinking and impaired driving.

She is running in the marathon with other Wyoming people on a team benefiting the charity Mariah’s Challenge. This charity challenges young people to stay alcohol free and to stay out of vehicles driven by someone who has been drinking. Students who meet the challenge and do not receive a Minor in Possession are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Mariah’s Challenge started in Montana.

At Thursday's announcement Mrs. Mead received a ceremonial bib for the 2012 ING New York City Marathon. That bib will recognize the eight cross country runners from the University of Wyoming killed in 2001.

Mrs. Mead said the Governor’s Council on Impaired Driving is a positive force to ensure that Wyoming has policies needed to decrease drunken driving. I see an opportunity, as First Lady, to help educate young people and parents about the tragic consequences of impaired driving graphically illustrated by the loss of Shane, Morgan, Kyle, Cody, Joshua, Justin, Kevin and Nick who were killed by a drunk driver. This tragedy illustrates how each one of us can make choices to prevent drinking and driving and make our roads safer. I thank Debbie, Kerry and the other parents for all the efforts they have put into this cause and I look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”

New York Road Runners Director of Media Relations, Richard Finn, said the marathon has a tremendous impact on charities nationwide. “Last year the ING New York City Marathon raised $34 million for approximately 300 charities across the country,” Finn said. “We are so excited to have First Lady Carol Mead running this year to benefit Mariah’s Challenge and just as excited to explore a relationship between the First Lady and the Marathon in the future.”

This year is the 43^rd running of the ING New York City Marathon. There will be approximately 47,000 people participating. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN2.