¦ March 26, 2012
Third Annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon Raises Nearly $38,000
Over 700 people participate with proceeds benefitting Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and All Children’s Hospital

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 26, 2012) - The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) and Trim Nutrition, a leader in wellness supplements and sustained energy products, hosted the third annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon this past Friday evening as part of festivities for the IZOD IndyCar Series season-opener around the street circuit in Florida. Working in tandem, SSPF and Trim Nutrition, official nutrition partner for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, were able to raise almost $38,000 through the support of more than 700 event participants; including Sam Schmidt, who wheeled around the entire circuit and Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver Simon Pagenaud.

All proceeds will benefit SSPF and All Children's Hospital to raise money for paralysis/spinal cord injury research and encourage individuals with physical disabilities to pursue active lifestyles, maintain healthy lives through physical fitness and realize their ability to meet new challenges and regain confidence.

Participants had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run, walk or wheel their way around the very course that the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series competed on during Sunday's season-opening race. In addition, the Boy Scouts of America Color Guard presented the American Flag as Alexis Mativi, a student at the University of Central Florida, sang the National Anthem preceding the race. Dr. Brent Agin, CEO of Trim Nutrition, welcomed everyone to the event and provided inspirational words as participants started the 5K.

The folks that ran, walked or wheeled their way to the finish line weren't the only ones who enjoyed the event; as many of the people camping in and around the race site came out to support the athletes as they passed by on the circuit, as did members of the St. Petersburg community who lined the streets to watch as the participants passed by.

"We're very pleased with the results from the third annual Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon," said Ida Cahill, president and CEO of SSPF. "This event provides the community with the unique opportunity to experience the thrill of the Honda Grand Prix from the perspective of the IndyCar Series drivers while at the same time raises money and awareness for a great cause. In the three years that we've hosted the 5K, the community response was by far the most enthusiastic and generous this year. Thanks to everyone who made this event a success, especially our friends at Green Savoree Promotions, who truly showed their support for this fantastic cause."

About the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation:
The SSPF was started in 2000 by Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt shortly after a practice-run crash left him paralyzed from the chest down.  SSPF is leading the charge to cure paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances benefiting those with spinal cord injuries, stroke victims and people diagnosed with ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In addition to initiating local and national advocacy efforts on behalf of those disabled, SSPF also funds national "Days at the Races" and "Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon" programs. Foundation President and CEO, Ida Cahill is a member of the Spinal Cord Leaders Council. 

About All Children's Hospital:
Children are the sole focus of All Children's Hospital and its new, million-square-foot St. Petersburg, FL campus devoted to pediatric specialty care.  The ten-story All Children's Hospital and its adjacent Outpatient Care Center (dedicated in January 2010) replace an existing 42-year old facility just two blocks away.
 
All Children's Hospital is a proud member of Johns Hopkins Medicine. All Children's is the only US hospital outside of the Baltimore/Washington D.C. metroplex to achieve that distinction. It is also the only hospital on Florida's West Coast totally devoted to children's care - a leader in pediatric treatment, education, research and advocacy.

About the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:
The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg takes place March 23-25, 2012 and is run on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront circuit that includes a combination of adjacent downtown streets circling Pioneer Park, the Progress Energy Center for the Arts, the Salvador Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlook the Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. To learn more about the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, visit www.gpstpete.com.

About Trim Nutrition:
Since its inception, Trim Nutrition has been dedicated to developing products that help people become healthier. They are proud to have helped thousands of people and continue to help more every day, whether the goal is to become more fit, lose weight, detox from drugs, aid in the reduction of disease symptoms, or just simply feel the best possible.

Trim Nutrition has evolved as an industry leader in the development and delivery of innovative nutritional supplementation. Their efforts target the epidemics that are poised to be major contributors to our healthcare perils and economic hardship. They have already seen success in general nutrition, weight management and drug detoxification and will continue to help people that strive for wellness.

Trim Nutrition is the official nutrition partner for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. Its headquarters are located in Clearwater, Fla., with two wellness facilities in Clearwater and Naples, Fla., along with a network of physician associates throughout the country using the Trim protocols.

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