Giving Back Month to end with THE PLAYERS 5K

text size

THE PLAYERS Championship will culminate "Giving Back Month" in November with "THE PLAYERS 5K with Donna", a run through the final nine holes of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, on Saturday, Nov. 28. The 5K will be followed by a post-event celebration on the event lawn of the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse. THE PLAYERS 5K with Donna is the final event of THE PLAYERS Giving Back Month, in which the tournament will use select dates throughout the month to highlight how the millions of dollars raised by the event in 2009 will benefit Northeast Florida charities.

The run is a partnership with the 26.2 With Donna Foundation started by local news anchor Donna Deegan. The Foundation raises money for breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic, and for financially challenged women on the First Coast with breast cancer through The Donna Foundation. The Donna Foundation began in June of 2003 providing for the critical needs of local women with the disease. To date more than 2000 have received assistance. Donna herself is a three-time breast cancer survivor, who was first diagnosed in 1999 at the age of 38 and again in 2002 and 2007.

Net proceeds from THE PLAYERS 5K with Donna will jointly benefit the Donna Foundation and the Mayo Clinic. As part of their $50 race registration fee, participants will receive a ticket to Sunday's final round of THE PLAYERS (Mother's Day), May 9, 2010, valued at $75 and donated by THE PLAYERS Championship. 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, is the only U.S. marathon dedicated solely to raising funds to end breast cancer and care for those living with the disease. The first two races held in 2008 and 2009 have combined to earn more than $1.5 million. The third annual 26.2 with Donna is scheduled for Sunday, February 21, 2010.

All participants who wear their PLAYERS 5K with Donna run shirt to THE PLAYERS final round on Mother's Day will gain access into a special hospitality suite, the "5K with Donna Sawgrass Suite" on the 16th tee.

"This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for fans to experience THE PLAYERS and TPC Sawgrass like never before while also helping a great cause," said Executive Director Jay Monahan. "We expect to see 1,000 people make their way through the back nine at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. That will be quite a sight! We tip our cap to the Donna Foundation for all of the great charitable work that they do in our area to help fight breast cancer and support the women living with the disease. We believe this is a partnership that will flourish for years to come."

"I am so honored to be partnering with THE PLAYERS for this unique event," said Donna Foundation President Donna Deegan. "The generosity displayed by THE PLAYERS and the PGA TOUR is well known. We are thrilled to be able to offer runners and walkers another exciting way to further research and help women in our community. All that and a ticket to see the best field and most impressive venue in golf. It just doesn't get much better than that."

THE PLAYERS 5K with Donna begins at 8 a.m. Registration, at 7 a.m., is limited to 1,000 participants. The race route will be on the back nine of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, winding along the cart paths, with the start and finish line at The Perch, where, during the tournament, players sign their scorecards and NBC broadcasts live. For race registration, go to theplayers.breastcancermarathon.com.