Valparaiso IN. 1-13-2011 – Callout meetings for the 2011 Opportunity Enterprises Marathon Team will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 6:00 PM at Opportunity Enterprises, 2801 Evans Avenue in Valparaiso, and on Saturday, January 22, 9:00 am at Omni 41 Health & Fitness Connection, 221 US Highway 41, Suite A in Schererville.

Runners who join the 2011 OE Marathon Team will pay a registration fee of $50, with a commitment to raise an additional $250 for Opportunity Enterprises.  Runners who wait to register until after Open Registration closes will have to pay a registration fee of $200, with an additional fundraising commitment of $750.  Runners are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the lower fee structure.

Members of the 2010 OE Marathon Team on race morning

Team membership includes training programs modified for beginning, intermediate, and advanced runners, which will prepare participants to complete the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

Training programs include long weekend runs with water stops supervised by experience training coordinators.  Runners may choose from a traditional 18-week training program, or, for an additional $100 in fundraising, may choose the Galloway run-walk training method.

In addition to the training program, team members will enjoy other benefits, including complimentary race entry, use of an exclusive race day warm-up and reunite area with restroom facilities in Charity Village, a team shirt, race day transportation to and from Northwest Indiana to the start/finish line, a weekly e-newsletter containing training tips and team updates throughout the training season, and a catered pasta dinner and post-race party during race weekend.

Funds raised by this year’s team will support programs at OE that do not receive government funding, such as All About Kids, enrichment services, and client scholarships.

Runners who want to join the team but are unable to make the callout meetings may register on-line at www.oerunners.org.

For more information about OE Running, contact Team Coordinators Chris Schneidt at 219-464-9621, ext. 233 or christene.schneidt@oppent.org or Allison Thomas at 219-464-9621, ext. 239 or allison.thomas@oppent.org.

Team sponsorships are also available at a variety of levels.  For sponsorship information, please contact Corporate Relations Liaison Dave Collins at (219) 464-9621, ext. 208 or david.collins@oppent.org.

Since 1967, OE has been a non-profit organization which creates sustainable life choices and opportunities for individuals with unique challenges and abilities.  Today, OE serves 1,100 adults and children with disabilities in Porter County and throughout Northwest Indiana.  For more information, visit www.oppent.org.