Norton Sports Health Sponsors Kentucky Derby Festival\’s Training Program

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Norton Sports Health is the new title sponsor of the Kentucky Derby Festival's Training Program to prepare runners for the KDF Marathon and miniMarathon on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The free 14-week program offers training tips and weekly group runs for participants of all levels of experience. Runners can register for the training program online at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. An orientation meeting for the program will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at 6 p.m. at duPont Manual High School.

Jeff Stephenson, M.D., and Jack Lach, M.D., of Norton Sports Health will act as medical co-directors for the Training Program and on race day.

"The Kentucky Derby Festival is a large part of the Louisville culture," Dr. Stephenson said. "As part of our ongoing commitment to provide our community with sports health education and medical care, we look forward to providing a safe training program so that participants can have the best possible experience before, during and after the race."

Said Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry: "The race training program has been very important in helping runners get motivated for the event and to train in the safest and most efficient manner possible. Norton Sports Health is well-known for its customized training programs for a wide variety of sports, and we're pleased to have them as the sponsor for such an important resource for runners."

The orientation meeting will include distribution of a free training packet and short-sleeve technical shirts for the first 700 attendees who register online (there may be a limited number of shirts given out for runners who register at the meeting); introduction of the race doctor, athletic trainers and nutritionists; an overview of the Marathon and miniMarathon; guests speakers and a question-and-answer session. The deadline to sign up online for the Training Program is Jan. 14; however, runners may still register at the orientation meeting. The 40^th anniverasary 13.1-mile miniMarathon and 26.2-mile Marathon start simultaneously at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Louisville.

"Norton Sports Health was pleased to be the medical provider for the KDF Marathon and miniMarathon in 2012," Dr. Lach said. "In our second year as a medical provider, we are honored to also become the title sponsor for the training program for this event. Norton Sports Health is dedicated to not only treating sports injuries, but preventing them through safe training programs."

Norton Sports Health features a team of highly trained sports medicine specialists, including orthopaedists, neurologists, physiatrists and primary care physicians. These specialists work together with trainers, physical therapists, nurses and other care providers to design customized programs that help return athletes of all ages to optimal performance following a sports-related injury.

Norton Sports Health, a part of Norton Healthcare, is one of the Louisville area's leading sports-related injury prevention and treatment programs. From professional, collegiate and high school competitors to those who just want to stay fit, Norton Sports Health provides advanced care for athletes and active individuals of all ages. The Norton Sports Health specialists are experts in arthroscopic surgery and other minimally invasive procedures used to treat sports-related injuries of the shoulder, elbow and knee.

In addition to treating sports injuries, these specialists are involved in research to gain a better understanding of why athletes become injured. The Norton Sports Health team includes fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, professional trainers and physical therapists who work together to design customized programs to meet each patient's specific needs.

More information is available at www.NortonHealthcare.com/SportsHealth.

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 375 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Date: November 28, 2012- Organisers