Team Winter Official Charity of 2011 Eugene Marathon – Twelve-year-old\’s charity makes an impact for prostate cancer research

EUGENE, Ore. – The Eugene Marathon has announced that Team Winter will be the official charity of the Eugene Marathon 5K, to be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Based out of Salem, Ore., Team Winter was founded by 12-year-old Winter Vinecki. Losing her dad to prostate cancer at the age of nine, Winter formed Team Winter, a non-profit organization that raises money for prostate cancer research. To-date, Winter has helped raise over $250,000 for prostate cancer research, and hopes to double that number in the near future.

Her website (www.TeamWinter.Org) allows people to create a fundraising page in which others can donate money. All money goes directly to funding research for a cure for prostate cancer. Visitors also have the opportunity to sign up and race for Team Winter, a growing team that includes runners and triathletes of all levels.

"We are very excited to have Team Winter as one of our official charities this year," says Tate Kelley, Event Coordinator for the Eugene Marathon. "It's amazing how much of an impact Winter, at the age of 12, is having on the national running and triathlon community. Partnering with Team Winter is a natural fit for our 5K."

Winter adds, "Living and training in Oregon makes teaming up with the Eugene Marathon very special to me. Having Team Winter as the Official Charity for the 5K is an exciting opportunity to get people out to participate and at the same time raise awareness for Prostate Cancer."

For more information go to: www.eugenemarathon.com