Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Gives Run ‘Stomp’ of Approval

ROYAL OAK, Mich., August 31, 2009 – Thousands of runners and walkers are expected to lace up their running shoes and head over to the Detroit Zoo on Sunday, September 20, 2009, for the annual Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo.  Proceeds from the Run Wild event benefit the Zoo’s Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex and veterinary care.

The event includes 5K and 10K runs as well as a noncompetitive one-mile Fun Walk.  Runners in the 5K and 10K events will start at the Zoo’s Ten Mile Road entrance and wind through the scenic streets of Huntington Woods surrounding the Zoo.  Walkers will follow a course past award-winning animal habitats as they stroll through Zoo grounds. 

The run has been recognized as a quality physical activity event by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness.  The Governor’s Council endorses local, regional and state events to acknowledge an organization’s ability to plan and carry out a quality event that significantly contributes to the health and well-being of Michigan residents.  Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo exemplifies this core value, according to Marilyn Lieber, president and CEO of the Governor’s Council.

“By endorsing local events all across the state, we hope to bring attention to the importance of physical activity and encourage our citizens to take responsibility for their health,” said Lieber.  “These local events can have a tremendous impact on health care costs that present a significant challenge for our state’s economy.”

The Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo begins at 8 a.m. with the 5K run, followed by the 10K run at 8:45 a.m. and the untimed Fun Walk at 9 a.m.  Online registration is available at www.detroitzoo.org (click on Events, then Run Wild) until September 15, and registration will also be available at the Zoo on September 18, 19 and 20. 

Medals will be presented to the top male and female runners in various age groups.  All participants will receive commemorative tee shirts as well as free admission to the Zoo on race day.  A Post-Race Party will follow the Run Wild event with live music, family entertainment and complimentary food and beverages.  Regular Zoo admission applies for non-race participants. 

“Bank of America is happy to continue its support of this outstanding community event,” said Bank of America Michigan President Kieth Cockrell.  “The Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo offers exciting competition and family fun on and around the grounds of one of Southeast Michigan’s most beloved destinations.”

The Bank of America Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo is also supported by Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (SEMVMA).

The Zoo is looking for 200 volunteers to assist during the event.  For information on volunteer opportunities, visit the Run Wild section of the Zoo’s website or contact Linda Denomme at (248) 541-5717 x.3806 or ldenomme@dzs.org.

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services.  The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 55 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 6,100 retail banking offices, more than 18,500 ATMs and award-winning online banking with nearly 30 million active users.  Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world.  Bank of America offers industry-leading support to more than 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services.  The company serves clients in more than 150 countries.  Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through Labor Day (with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. day after Labor Day through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11 for adults 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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