Prime Acura Supports Miles For Miracles Team In The 2016 Boston Marathon

East Walpole, MA – On April 18, the 120th Boston Marathon will kick off with more than 30,000 participants running the 26.2-mile route through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley, Natick, Brookline, Newton, and Boston. On behalf of the New England Acura Dealers, the official automotive sponsor of the 2016 Boston Marathon, Prime Acura provided invitational entries to Boston Children’s Hospital.

As a member of the NEADA, Prime Acura has been an active supporter of the Boston community. Since 2012, the NEADA has supported Boston Children’s Hospital by pledging to raise $500,000 over two years for the premier pediatric care and research facility. In Jan. 2015, the association extended their pledge to $1 million over four years for Boston Children’s Hospital. To meet the $1 million pledge by the end of Nov. 2016, the NEADA serves as a top-level sponsor at all signature fundraisers and events, including the Boston Children’s Hospital Miles for Miracles 2016 Boston Marathon team. The hospital’s Miles for Miracles Team joined the Boston Marathon Official Charity Program in 1996 and since then has raised $21.4 million.

Prime Acura is proud to support this year’s Miles for Miracles Team with two additional entries into the Boston Marathon. “The funds raised and dedication the coaching staff and runners show is impressive. Prime Acura is excited to help support these efforts by offering Ryan Hall and Jackie Walsh an opportunity to participate in the 2016 Marathon on behalf of Boston Children’s Hospital,” remarks Reidar Davies, Process Development-Sales Operations of Prime Acura.

Ryan Hall, 34, of Waltham, Mass. will be running his first Boston Marathon in support of Boston Children’s Hospital.

Ryan Hall, 34, of Waltham, Mass. is a rookie to the Boston Marathon but like much of the Boston community feels a strong connection to the Patriots’ Day tradition. While attending a charity event at the 2014 Boston Marathon finish line, Ryan was blown away watching the runners, especially those who had been injured and were returning after the 2013 bombing – most notably Rebekah Gregory. “I was inspired to [not only] support the race, the city, the runners and others by donating financially but to join so many others who were brave and committed enough to train and get out there to cross that finish line. I told three of my colleagues at that moment I would run the 2016 marathon somehow,” Ryan reminisces.

While researching Ryan found that he could enter the marathon through a charity. “As soon as I saw Boston Children’s Hospital, I immediately sent in my application,” he said. Through experiences with family, friends and his “Little Brother” Fabian (who Ryan sponsors as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Boston), Ryan knows the power of the outstanding work and commitment the hospital staff provide. On Marathon Monday Ryan will be running on behalf of his Boston Children’s Hospital patient partner Alec, and his mother who has been debilitated from rheumatoid arthritis, having received over 15 joint replacement surgeries over the past 30 years.

“I’d like to inspire people to not take anything for granted that you currently have as it’s easy to give focus to everything we lack,” Ryan said. “The fact is there’s many people out there who would give their lives to trade some of the perceived problems some of us have in life.”

Currently residing in Hong Kong, Jackie Walsh, 47, is a Boston Marathon veteran the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 marathons under her belt. While attending Boston College, Jackie became motivated to participate in the Marathon and made it a goal when she turned 40. Although she will not be able to participate in this year’s marathon due to travel complications, Jackie will still participate by raising funds for the Boston Children’s Hospital Miles for Miracles team.

“When I started thinking about running the marathon in 2008, I looked through the charities and Miles for Miracles for Boston Children’s Hospital looked very special and it was!” said Walsh. “[My] boys were young at the time – and luckily very healthy – and running for a charity that supported and healed children resonated with me.”

If you would like to support Ryan or Jackie, the funds raised go to support the Children’s Fund. This is an unrestricted fund that enables Boston Children’s to continue to provide high quality care, lead innovative efforts to research and the discovery of cures, educate the next generation of leaders in pediatrics, and care for the children and families in our local community.

As part of the sponsorship, the NEADA will provide the official pace cars leading the race, as well as a 2017 NSX and other Acuras to showcase along the racecourse. In addition, NEADA will have vehicle displays at the 5k, Copley Square, Brookline and Wellesley throughout marathon weekend. “There is going to be a lot going on Marathon weekend but I can’t wait to see the orange and blue Miles for Miracle jerseys with an Acura logo on it among the mass of runners,“ exclaims Davies

Founded in 1897 and held on Patriot’s Day, this year will mark the Marathon’s 120th anniversary. The marathon attracts over 500,000 spectators, making it New England’s most widely viewed sporting event.

About the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs, including high performance athletes and running club. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2015. The 120th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016. For more information on the B.A.A., please visitwww.baa.org.

About the New England Acura Dealers Association
The New England Acura Dealers Association consists of seven dealerships throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire: Acura of Auburn, Acura of Boston, Acura of Peabody, Herb Connolly Acura, Prime Acura, Prime Acura North and Sunnyside Acura. Please see neacuradealers.com for more information.