ASPCA Named Benefiting Charity for 2nd Annual Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon

Los Angeles, CA – March 16, 2011 – The Competitor Group (CGI) announced today that the ASPCA^® – The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^® – has been named the benefiting charity of the 2011 Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon series. The event will take place Sunday, October 30, 2011, with live bands and fanfare positioned along each mile of the 13.1-mile course.

• Team ASPCA becomes official charity training program for October half-marathon
• Angela and Vanessa Simmons launch partnership as national animal welfare organization announces $250,000 grant to L.A.-area animal rescue groups
• Bret Michaels concert and LA LIVE finish line highlights Halloween weekend event

“Our races support a wide range of causes, and the ASPCA is a relationship we’re extremely proud of,” said Scott Dickey, president of Competitor Group, Inc. “Seventy percent of all Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series participants are pet owners and now we’ll see a portion of charity funds raised go directly toward our beloved four-legged friends.”

Among the 15,000 runners and walkers expected to participate in Los Angeles’ second musical mash-up will be members of Team ASPCA, who will help the ASPCA provide life-saving programs and services to millions of animals in need nationwide. The ASPCA also announced that as part of this effort it will grant $250,000 to local shelters and rescue groups in the L.A.-area, with funding aimed at saving the lives of animals in the Los Angeles community.

“This is definitely a cause that is giving back to something near and dear to our hearts. We love animals and have had pets our entire lives,” said actress Vanessa Simmons, who attended the launch party in Los Angeles with her sister Vanessa. “Health and wellness is the key to everything and the fact that the two are collaborating is great. We’re very excited to be a part of it.”

The ASPCA is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. Team ASPCA is a national endurance training and fundraising program dedicated to engaging animal lovers around the country to walk, run or cycle to help the ASPCA provide life-saving programs and services to millions of animals in need nationwide.

“With Team ASPCA, runners can participate in the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon and make a positive impact in the lives of animals across the nation,” said Kymberlee Setterberg, senior manager of special events for the ASPCA. “Partnering with Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles allows us to reach runners and walkers around the country who love animals and are eager to help the millions of animals in need of the life-saving services the ASPCA provides.”

Funds raised through the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon will help the ASPCA provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a Team ASPCA participant, runners may receive:

• Endurance training from professional coaches and access to a virtual training schedule.
• A personal online fundraising page plus guidance from professional fundraisers to help reach your goal.
• Weekend travel accommodations, including airfare to LA, luxurious hotel accommodations and group ground transportation.
• Access to Team ASPCA VIP events, including our kickoff event, pre- and post-event celebrations and entry into the exclusive Team ASPCA hospitality tent at the finish line.
• Official Team ASPCA merchandise including a Team ASPCA singlet, a Team ASPCA training shirt and more!
• Most importantly, the opportunity to help homeless, abused, and injured animals.

“The Dodge brand is proud to be associated with the ASPCA through Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles, as they carry out much needed acts of kindness and aid for those who do not have not a voice,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Like many of our vehicle owners, many members of the Dodge team have pets that are members of our families, and we are very passionate about giving back to the community, including animal welfare.”

The Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half -Marathon benefiting the ASPCA will kick off race weekend with a free two-day expo on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The race offers a scenic tour of Los Angeles’ most famous sites before finishing in spectacular style in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE. Event weekend will conclude with an electric post-race concert headlined by Bret Michaels.

For further information, or to participate with Team ASPCA, please visit http://www.jointeamaspca.org/ or follow @teamASPCA on Twitter.

About The ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.