Three-time Boston Marathon champion Uta Pippig, founder and president of Take The Magic Step®, returns to Boston this weekend to join 6,000 other runners in the Boston Athletic Association 5K. She is looking forward to a fast and fun run on Sunday, April 15th. On the next day, she will be in Hopkinton to give an encouraging send-off to the Hoyt Foundation charity runners she has been coaching for the marathon. This is a special year for the Foundation—the legendary team of Dick Hoyt and his wheelchair-bound son Rick will be competing in their 30th consecutive Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness for physically-challenged people around the world.

Kathy Boyer, Team Hoyt spokesperson, said, “We are very honored to have Uta Pippig as our coach once again—and this year, especially, our charity runners could not have a more inspiring coach. Uta’s spirit of charity and giving—and her tireless training advice—has brought our group of runners to Boston well-prepared for the marathon. They are dedicated, strong, and committed to the Hoyt charities.”

“It is such an honor to support this wonderful team,” said Uta. “The runners from the Hoyt Foundation stand for everything that is best in sports and in life. I am in awe of their commitment and of their amazing fundraising efforts, led by Dick and Rick, who have given inspiration with their never-give-up attitude to people everywhere.”

Uta earned her affectionate universal nickname “Running Girl” by stylishly winning seven of the world’s great marathons: Boston in 1994, 1995, and 1996, as well as three Berlin Marathons and the New York City Marathon. She retired from competitive racing in summer of 2004 to create Take The Magic Step®, an international organization dedicated to helping people achieve a better sense of wellbeing through inspiration, education, and lifestyle changes—made one small step at a time.

The company works with corporations and individuals to create a positive and healthy motivational environment for each and every participant. Through its Foundation, Take The Magic Step® supports charities, particularly those utilizing fitness and health for better wellbeing. Especially close to Uta’s heart are the Hoyt Foundation and SOS Outreach, in Colorado, which uses outdoor activities to help at-risk and underprivileged youth build character and self-esteem as well as the Louisa May Alcott Orchard House, which hosts an annual run/walk that benefits educational programming and historic preservation. In addition, Uta supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its emphasis on helping children and adults with cancer.

Uta’s work with Take The Magic Step has been featured on PBS and ABC News as well as in Runner’s World and other publications.

During the Marathon weekend, Uta will be a featured speaker at the Team Hoyt Pasta Dinner on April 14th and the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Pasta Party next day. Then she will join the Hoyt Foundation runners at the starting line in Hopkinton on Monday morning, April 16th, to provide encouragement and support for the athletes who have come from all over America, Canada, and Australia to take part in this wonderful athletic endeavor.

“Each year Boston provides such great athletic achievements in the Marathon against a backdrop of tradition and a truly historic setting,” said Uta. “And, at the same time, Boston provides a “people’s race,” where runners can test themselves and go for the ultimate challenge, and where caring individuals can run to raise money for charity. Thank you to the City of Boston for inviting us each year to your Marathon!” In this, its 116th year, the Boston Marathon also is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of John Hancock, the sponsor that has been partnering with the oldest annual marathon in the world for the past 27 years.

This year there will be an exciting addition to Uta’s annual Boston reunion: throughout the weekend, a camera team from the well-known “Aaron Harber Show”—broadcast on KCDO-TV (K3 Colorado—Channel 3), COMCAST Entertainment Television (CET), KPXC-TV (ION Television/ION Media Networks), other cable and satellite channels, and the Web—will capture all Uta’s activities and events in Boston. (For more information on host Aaron Harber please click www.HarberTV.com.)

Information on the Hoyt Foundation is available at www.TeamHoyt.com; www.BAA.org provides details on the Boston Marathon weekend; and www.RunDFMC.org offers more information on the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge.

For other information about Uta Pippig, please go to www.TakeTheMagicStep.com or contact:
Steve Coz
561 329 3533
or email at: Uta@TakeTheMagicStep.com