Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano & RXR CEO Scott Rechler Promote Healthy Hearts and the 2011 RXR/TIAA-CREF Long Island Marathon

 

Joined by American Heart Association and 39-year-old heart-attack victim and runner, the message is: “Don’t ignore the signs of heart trouble”

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and RXR Realty Chief Executive Officer Scott Rechler called on runners and non-runners alike to take steps to maintain a healthy heart, as they promoted the upcoming 2011 RXR/TIAA-CREF Long Island Marathon.

Mangano and Rechler were joined by officials from the American Heart Association and Alan Powell, who recently recovered from a heart attack and open-heart surgery. Powell, 39, will celebrate his recovery by running in the 5K race as part of the Long Island Marathon. The 5K is one of several races being run on Saturday, April 30, and the Marathon will take place on Sunday, May 1.

Despite its status as one of the most affluent and well-educated areas in New York State, Nassau County actually has a higher rate of cardiovascular disease than the state as a whole, with 356 incidents per 100,000 population, according to recent statistics covering the years 2005 to 2007. By contrast, New York State’s rate is 318 and New York City’s is 323.

“I am very pleased to team up with RXR Realty once again, as well as the community of runners on Long Island and elsewhere, for the 39th Long Island Marathon,” said Mangano. “This is one of Long Island’s most colorful public sporting events and I encourage as many people as possible to use this event as an occasion to become physically active, whether they choose to train for the 5K race or the full marathon. As part of this year’s race, we also look forward to partnering with the American Heart Association to help educate the public about the importance of cardiovascular health.”

“We are very happy to continue the role of RXR Realty and TIAA-CREF as sponsors of the Long Island Marathon,” said Rechler. “Being an active participant in the community and giving back are not just company buzzwords. These ideals are ingrained as part of the corporate culture at RXR. We work here, we live here and we want to contribute in any way we can.”

For the second year, the Marathon weekend will feature two challenges to participants. “The Long Island Town Challenge” will recognize the Long Island township with the most registered runners on Marathon weekend. The Town of Hempstead won the first such challenge last year. “The Run for Charity Challenge” will acknowledge the local charity with the most participants registered for the weekend races. Friends of Karen was the winner of the inaugural challenge in 2010. Trophies will be awarded in the weeks following the Marathon.

The announcement was part of the annual Marathon press conference, held inside the winter garden at RXR Plaza in Uniondale, just a short distance from the race’s starting line on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard. Last year, more than 8,100 runners participated and the 2011 edition has seen a nearly 30 percent increase in registrations to date this year over last year.

The RXR/TIAA-CREF Long Island Marathon offers a wide range of running opportunities for athletes of all ages and levels of skill and endurance. The event includes a children’s Fun Run, a one-mile and a 5K race, taking place on Saturday, April 30, and a 10K, half- and full-marathon on Sunday, May 1. In its 39th year, the Marathon is Long Island’s largest sporting event.

Visit www.thelimarathon.com for more on the Long Island Marathon, or to register on-line.