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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Project Athena Race Series Returns to Norfolk on a Mission
Project Athena empowers women in our communities to get their ‘mojo’ back
NORFOLK, Virginia – August 2, 2011– Life comes with no shortage of setbacks, particularly for those who have encountered hardships of the caliber the women of Project Athena have faced. This charitable organization began with a simple goal: to help women who have been knocked down get up with more strength than ever before.
Founder of the Project Athena Foundation, Robyn Benincasa calls it ‘mojo,’ but whatever you may call it, this group of empowered women set out with a goal to get every woman who has had a traumatic life changing experience find their zest again. For many people, taking a hike and breathing fresh mountain air, jogging on an early morning while the sun rises, or just simply walking with their family is an unaffordable luxury. Whether it is a double hip replacement, an autoimmune deficiency, chronic kidney disease, cancer or suffering from severe emotional trauma—women all over Virginia and beyond are waging great battles within, and Project Athena Foundation invites those women, or “Athenas” as they are called, to come forward and fight back.
The Project Athena Foundation will be offering a celebration event in the heart of Norfolk, at Virginia Wesleyan College, to raise funds for the brave women refusing to let their hardship knock them down. On September 17th at 8:00 am the Project Athena Race Series will be offering three events the whole family can enjoy including a 10k run, a team scavenger-style hike and an obstacle course kids dash.
Anyone can participate in the race, and all entry fees are a 100% tax-deductible gift to the foundation, which will help fund the adventures the Athena women wish to take part in. Due to entry fees and the generous event underwriting support of corporate sponsors including Merrell, Wigwam and Amgen, these women are able to have the experience of a lifetime. In addition, Project Athena is proud to offer free entry to all women who feel they qualify as an “Athena” through setbacks they have faced in their life. To apply for free entry, or even a scholarship (“Athenaship”) to attend one of the adventures, women just need to visit and tell their story.
There are multitudes of women here in Norfolk and the Virginia Beach area who would be excellent candidates for an “Athenaship,” and there are even more people in a position to enjoy an inspiring day and help these brave warriors get their groove back! The foundation is looking for Athenas interested in sharing their story, as well as supporters to make their dreams a reality.
“Your organization has helped me realize that my life doesn’t stop here, it starts here,” said Sara Jones, Local Project Athena Grant Recipient, “A new body, a new journey, another chance to reach for my dreams.”
Registration is open at where you can sign up and build your own online fund raising page. The 5k and 10k entry fees are $30 through September 3rd and registration for the 1k Kidz Challenge is $10 through September 15th. All participants receive a technical t-shirt and are invited to the Finish Festival following the event until 11:00 am at Virginia Wesleyan College.
About Project Athena Foundation
Project Athena, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded in 2007 by two-time adventure race world champion, 10-time Ironman finisher and professional firefighter, Robyn Benincasa. Robyn was diagnosed with stage 4 Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, in 2007, and completed a marathon 20 weeks after hip resurfacing surgery as a proud owner of two metal-on-metal bionic hips. Inspired by a support group of girlfriends who were also survivors, Benincasa started the Foundation to create a “god and goddess” network, to help other women who face medical setbacks embrace recovery and conquer physical fitness and adventure goals. For more information, visit
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