CVS Caremark Downtown 5K Searching for "Downtown Dashers"
Seeking runners, walkers and wheelchair racers who have participated in every Downtown 5K since its 1990 inception

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Posted Monday, 30 August, 2010

Woonsocket, R.I. (August 30, 2010) – If you’re a “Downtown Dasher”, the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K is trying to find you. What’s a “Downtown Dasher” you ask? A “Downtown Dasher” is someone who has participated in every Downtown 5K since its inception in 1990. Whether you’ve run, walked or participated in the wheelchair category of the Downtown 5K for all 20 years of the race’s history – race officials are trying to find you before this year’s race takes place on Sunday, September 19.

The CVS Caremark Downtown 5K plans to recognize those who have participated in every race for their longstanding commitment to the Downtown 5K. All “Downtown Dashers” should email help@cvsdowntown5k.com to join this special club.

To date, five “Downtown Dashers” have been identified. They include Fred Zulger, 72, of Coventry, wheelchair athlete Jason Pisano, 38, of West Warwick, Joe McNamara, 59, of Warwick, Warren Alper, 52, of Burrilville and Barry O’Brien, 61, of Warwick. A brief bio on each of these athletes is included at the end of this release.

“We love hearing the stories of athletes who have been part of Rhode Island’s largest road race from day one and continue to come back year after year,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, senior vice president of corporate communications and community relations for CVS Caremark. “We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and to having these individuals inspire others to register for this year’s race, which has already attracted more than 5,000 registrants.”

Charlie Breagy, race director of the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K and one of the founders of the race, said, “This is an amazing accomplishment showing true grit and determination. I’m pleased that the race means as much to this special group of runners as it does to me. We look forward to having the ‘Downtown Dashers’ be a special part of the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K as we move forward.”

Breagy commented that the range of ages and backgrounds of the “Downtown Dashers” is an accurate reflection of the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K, which is known for attracting a wide range of participants.

He added, “From the country’s most elite runners competing for a national title, to recreational runners interested in healthy activity, to generations of families running together, the Downtown 5K attracts a wide range of participants. In addition, many like to participate in the race for the charitable aspect of it. The CVS Caremark Downtown 5K has raised more than one million dollars for charity over the past 10 years.”

The CVS Caremark Downtown 5K includes 21 different races for children, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, including an All Kids Can Inspirational event for children with physical and intellectual disabilities; a 3K Inspirational event for high school runners, sponsored by Tufts Health Plan; and the 5K event, which draws elite athletes competing for the USA Track & Field (USATF) 5K championship, as well as amateur runners competing as individuals or on college, corporate, and gym teams. Walkers are also welcome to participate in the race.

Those interested in participating in the 2010 CVS Caremark Downtown 5K are advised to register as soon as possible as online registration closes at noon on September 13. Advance race registration for individuals and teams, as well as course map and complete event information can be accessed at www.cvsdowntown5k.com.

Late registration and race packet pickup will be on the Rhode Island State House Lawn, Gaspee Street in Providence on Saturday, September 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday (race day), September 19, 7:15 to 10:45 a.m. All registrants will receive a CVS Caremark Downtown 5K T-shirt. The first 5,000 individuals who registered for the 5K race received a custom technical shirt and a CVS/pharmacy goody bag. The CVS Caremark Downtown 5K will start and finish on Francis Street in front of the Rhode Island State House.

The following includes additional information on the previously mentioned “Downtown Dashers”:

• Fred Zulger, 72, of Coventry, a Citizen’s Bank retiree who began running in his thirties and has run in numerous 5Ks, as well as 31 marathons – including one in Germany which took him through the former Berlin Wall and was of great significance to him since he is of German descent. Zulger’s grandchildren have run in the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K’s youth races for years.
• Jason Pisano, 38, of West Warwick, a wheelchair athlete who graduated from the University of Connecticut with a journalism degree and worked for 11 years as a freelance journalist. Pisano, who participates in numerous races, has completed 49 marathons to date, captured two world titles at the 2005 Cerebral Palsy Games, was a Torch Bearer for the 1996 Olympic Games, and has been inducted into the New England Wheelchair Hall Of Fame, now works as a motivational speaker.
• Joe McNamara, 59, of Warwick, an administrator for the Pawtucket School Department and a State Representative who will turn 60 before this year’s CVS Caremark Downtown 5K. McNamara hopes that the new age category he falls into improves his finish placement.
• Warren Alper, 52, of Burrilville, a sales representative for The Hillman Group who has always worked at staying active – whether it be through biking, running or walking. Alper used to run a number of road races – even ran 43 in one year – but has slowed down a bit and turned more towards walking, due to knee ailments.
• Barry O’Brien, 61, of Warwick, a director for Direct Import Advisors LLC who had previously worked for Hasbro for 29 years as Director of Global Trade and Customs. In addition to running the Downtown 5K for all 20 years of the race, O’Brien has also volunteered for the Downtown 5K’s youth races for all 20 years. O’Brien recalls that approximately 75 children participated in the inaugural youth races while last year – the youth races attracted more than 1,000 children.

About the Downtown 5K
The Downtown 5K is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that promotes health and fitness through road racing. Proceeds from the annual race event are donated to local youth charities in Rhode Island and Southern New England.

About CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. Through our integrated offerings across the entire spectrum of pharmacy care, we are uniquely positioned to provide greater access, to engage plan members in behaviors that improve their health and to lower overall health care costs for health plans, plan sponsors and their members. CVS Caremark is a market leader in mail order pharmacy, retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and retail clinics, and is a leading provider of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. As one of the country's largest pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), we provide access to a network of more than 64,000 pharmacies, including approximately 7,100 CVS/pharmacy(R) stores that provide unparalleled service and capabilities. Our clinical expertise includes one of the industry's most comprehensive disease management programs. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Company's Web site at www.info.cvscaremark.com.

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