For Immediate Release:
PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST CHRIS HORNER TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR FOR ECHELON GRAN FONDO PORTLAND/COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Bend, OR resident, and Team RadioShack® Rider will return to his home state to promote and participate in the state’s inaugural Echelon event
(San Francisco, CA – March 2nd, 2010) – PlanetZ/Echelon is proud to announce a partnership with professional cyclist Chris Horner for the inaugural September 26th, 2010 Echelon Gran Fondo in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Horner, a resident of Bend, Oregon, will serve as an event ambassador, and aid in creating greater awareness of the organization’s commitment to creating community focused cycling events, which raise money for local and national cancer institutions. The majority of entry fees and additional donations contributed by participating individuals and teams will support the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and LIVESTRONG®.
Horner, a dominant figure for over 15 years in international pro-cycling, and member of the newly formed Team RadioShack® with American teammates Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney, is excited to partner with Echelon and the community of Portland. “When I was approached by Echelon and learned about their event goals, a unique opportunity was created for me to support the beneficiary organizations and participate on my home turf,” commented Horner.
The primary local beneficiary of the Echelon event is the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, considered as one of the nation’s top cancer centers. With the latest treatments, technologies, hundreds of research studies and approximately 400 clinical trials, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only cancer center between Sacramento and Seattle designated by the National Cancer Institute — an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. LIVESTRONG®, the event’s national beneficiary and source of inspiration and assistance for millions is the globally recognized Lance Armstrong Foundation, which connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Additionally, a portion of funds will support the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway (FHCRH), an Oregon nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support the restoration of the historic highway through the Columbia River.
“Having Chris as part of this event is quite a thrill. His spirited personality and his commitment to generating awareness for our event are exciting. We look forward to our Portland participants having the opportunity to meet and ride with Chris,” said Hunter Ziesing, founder of Echelon.
Echelon, whose 2010 events are planned in Napa, CA and Portland, OR, has created 30, 60, and 100-mile rides to emulate the pageantry of the Tour de France. All abilities of riders are welcome, and all participants will encounter a uniquely crafted and festive event.
About PlanetZ/Echelon: PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money for local and national cancer focused institutions.
For more information, please visit www.echelongranfondo.org.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Kotch
323.806.5900
Rebecca@Rebeccakotch.com
