RUNNING USA – A Run Like No Other: Run to Home Base at Famed Fenway Park – 2nd Run to Home Base presented by New Balance benefits veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat stress and traumatic brain injuries, and their families

BOSTON – (December 16, 2010) – Millions of Red Sox fans dream of crossing home base at Fenway Park with a crowd cheering them on. Thousands of fans who participate in the annual Run to Home Base presented by New Balance, now in its second year, will again be able to experience that thrill while raising funds to support clinical treatment for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat stress and traumatic brain injuries, and their families.

Today, veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan joined WEEI Radio, Red Sox and Massachusetts General Hospital officials, and New Balance in announcing the 2011 Run to Home Base will occur on Sunday, May 22 on the weekend the Red Sox play the Chicago Cubs at Fenway. The formal announcement occurred live on the simulcast of the Dennis and Callahan morning show on WEEI and NESN.

"The Run to Home Base is a great opportunity for fans to show their support for the many heroic servicemen and women and their families who have sacrificed and served all of us," said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. "It's also a unique 'fun run' ending with the rare experience of running through Fenway Park and finishing the race by crossing home plate at the oldest and smallest ball park in the Major Leagues."

All donations made in support of runners in this charitable fundraising race are tax deductible and will be directed to the Home Base Program. Donations via check can be sent to the Red Sox Foundation / Home Base Program, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215. Registration and event information for the 2011 Run to Home Base is available at: www.runtohomebase.org

Participation in the 2011 run is limited to 2,500 runners so early registration is encouraged. The number of participants is limited due to race logistics and consideration of the condition of the ballfield. Participants must be 16 years of age or older, and must raise a minimum of $1000 for the Home Base Program. Last year's inaugural Run to Home Base drew just over 2,000 runners and raised more than $2.5 million.

The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program is a philanthropic partnership between the award-winning official team charity of the Boston Red Sox and one of the nation's most renowned teaching hospitals. The program provides clinical evaluations and treatment to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) – two increasingly common and often debilitating wounds of the war on terror as well as support services to their families.

For the second year in a row, the presenting sponsor of the Run is global athletic shoe and apparel company New Balance.

"New Balance is thrilled to return as presenting sponsor of the 2011 Run to Home Base in partnership with the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital," said New Balance President and CEO Rob DeMartini. "As a Boston-based company and an official military apparel and footwear provider, we are proud to support this unique event combining running, fund-raising and iconic Fenway Park, to help improve the lives of New England servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan."

According to US Army Special Forces Sgt Eric Emond, who served 5 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before being seriously injured last year in an attack by insurgents in Afghanistan, the mission of the Run extends beyond the much needed fundraising.

"There are a lot of service men and women who are struggling with their injuries who need to know there is a team behind them when they get home," Emond said. "The Run to Home Base is a way to not only say thanks, but step up to the plate to serve those who have served all of us. As a community, we are all strengthened when we share both the benefits and the burdens required in serving our nation."

Thousands of servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have combat stress and traumatic brain injuries. These wounds are complex, highly individualized and often difficult to recognize. Family members of veterans with these injuries often need guidance as they seek ways to better support their loved veteran. In New England, an estimated 50,000 veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are affected and the numbers keep rising as more deployments occur.

The Home Base Program is a philanthropic partnership between the Red Sox Foundation, the award winning team charity of the Boston Red Sox, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The Home Base Program provides evaluations and clinical care and outreach to veterans, family support services, community education and research.

For information about the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, visit: www.homebaseprogram.org

RUNNING USA