Sallarulo’s Race for Champions – Celebrating the Champion in All of Us

From left to right: Paul M. Sallarulo, Nova Southeastern University Board of Trustee Member and Founder of   Sallarulo´s Race for Champions, George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., President/CEO of Nova Southeastern University, Fernando Nunez Jr., 2013 Special Olympics Broward County Athlete of the Year, Joe Amaturo, Special Olympics Broward County Honorary Board Member

FT. LAUDERDALE / DAVIE, FL– The Eighth Annual Sallarulo’s Race for Champions is set to kick off on Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) spectacular campus in Davie. The run, scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, November 10^th, will feature hundreds of runners and walkers alike who will participate in this USATF certified 5k race around the university’s scenic campus. Participants will enjoy post-event refreshments and entertainment at the Carnival of Champions honoring our very own Special Olympics Athletes of Broward County.

Registration is available online at www.sallarulosraceforchampions.org. The cost is $25 per person and teams are strongly encouraged.  All registered participants will receive a free t-shirt and gift bag and enjoy the Carnival of Champions. This event gives Special Olympics the ability to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people through the power of sports.

All proceeds from the race will benefit Special Olympics Florida – Broward County, whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Sallarulo’s Race for Champions was founded on the belief that everyone deserves a chance and an opportunity to live a fulfilled life,” said Linda Mills, Director. “The race not only raises funds for Special Olympics but raises awareness by promoting inclusion and acceptance. Over 1,200 community members with and without disabilities will run alongside each other as equals and then celebrate their accomplishments at the Carnival of Champions. “We are looking for local champions to support us by forming teams and participating in the race.”

The event is made possible due to the generosity of numerous sponsors, including: Broward Health; Lawlor/Zigler;, Met Life; Nova Southeastern University;, A.J. Nassar & Michelle Pesonen; Fiora Financial Group; Healthcare Performance Anesco;, Hungry Howies;, I. Lorraine Thomas; Memorial Healthcare System; NSU Health Professions Division; Scott Storick/John Hancock; The Tower Club; Amaturo Family Foundation; Inc; Freshpoint; Gallo Herbert Architects; JWR Construction Services; Lois Pope; NSU H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship; Ronald G. Assaf; and Thomasina A. Caporella.  The race will also honor the memories of Ann Amorello, Tommy Galeazzi, Mary Gill, Warren Meretsky, and Christopher “Bubba” Walker.

The funds help ensure Special Olympics Florida – Broward County keeps pace with South Florida’s growing special needs population. In Broward County alone, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are between 44,162 and 52,994 residents with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics strives to reach as many of these individuals and their families as possible. Through sports training and competition, athletes develop physically, socially and psychologically.

For information on how to sign up, please contact Linda Mills at 954-262-2150 or email at lmills@specialolympicsbroward.org

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About Special Olympics of Broward County: Special Olympics of Broward County provides year-round sports training and competition for over 1,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Broward County.  Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics gives people with intellectual disabilities continual opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their peers, families and communities.

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 314 beautiful acres in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with an enrollment of 27,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields.  NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  For more information visit www.nova.edu.

Contact:

Vera Mandilovitch | Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 (office)
954-882-3570 (cell)
vmandilovitch@nova.edu