Join Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians at the starting line when Jim Newman, business specialist on ABC 7 Eyewitness News, signals the start of The Classic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates' annual 5K/10K Race and Walk, and Children's Fun Run. The race, sponsored by The Home Depot & ABC 7, takes place on Saturday, March 23, at 8 AM, in Griffith Park. The Classic benefits Music Matters, the Youth Music Education Programs of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and those of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates. To request an entry form for The Classic, call 323.850.2165 or register on-line at www.active.com.

New this year, there will be a free family concert in the park for children and their families following the Children's Fun Run, which steps off at 9:45 AM. Runners will have the opportunity to meet running expert and author Jeff Galloway after the race.

Rain or shine, The Classic begins at 8 AM. The starting line is located at 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, across from the Ranger Station, in Griffith Park (near the Los Angeles Zoo). Before March 18, the fee to register is $20 and $25 after that date. Contestants may register in person beginning at 6:30 AM on the day of the race. Participants may compete in teams of five, or as individuals. Every registered entrant receives a voucher for two free tickets to the Hollywood Bowl, a souvenir T-shirt, and more.

The Children's Fun Run, which is approximately one kilometer (.6 miles), begins at 9:45 AM. Children can register until 9:25 AM and the fee per child is $10. All participating children get a finisher's ribbon at the finish line. Each will also receive a free CD, from NAXOS, entitled "Listen, Learn and Grow."

After the Fun Run at 10:15 AM, there will be a free Family Concert in the Park entitled "Jazz Hot & Cool" with Bobby Rodriguez and friends. The concert will present jazz music in a fun and engaging show featuring Jim Newman and David Prather as hosts. Kids can also have fun throughout the morning with face painting, and a hands-on introduction to some of the instruments in a symphony orchestra at the Music Mobile® demonstration.

Other festivities include musical performances, as well as free food, thirst quenchers, post-race massages, sports-related exhibits, and home improvement boards (provided by The Home Depot) will be on display. In addition to The Home Depot and ABC 7, race sponsors include the Lewis A. Kingsley Foundation, the Stotsenberg Foundation, and LA Family Magazine. This year's honorary chair is Dorothy Stotsenberg and event chair Sue Clauss.

Running expert, author and speaker JEFF GALLOWAY was an average teenage runner who kept learning and working harder until he became an Olympian. Best known for designing the walk-run, low mileage marathon training program, his innovative ideas have opened up the possibility of running and completing a marathon to almost everyone. Galloway qualified for the 1972 Olympics in the 10,000 meters and as an alternate for the marathon. His quest for an injury-free marathon training program led him to develop group training programs in 1978, writing a series of Runner's World articles based upon the results. He supervises Galloway Productions, which conducts dozens of fitness seminars throughout North America, fitness vacations to Greece and Lake Tahoe, and training groups in over 40 cities a year. Jeff heads Atlanta's Promina Corporate Challenge, which 20,000 attend each year. Galloway's Book On Running has become the standard among running books and the reference guide for runners of all abilities. It continues to be North America's most popular running book each year.

Host of The Classic JIM NEWMAN can be seen daily reporting on business news on ABC 7 Eyewitness News. He previously worked at KTLA-TV and was also Business Week Magazine's television correspondent at ABC. A graduate of the London School of Economics, Newman is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Janus Award for Excellence in Financial Broadcasting. He has been named "Business News Reporter of the Year" twice by the Los Angeles Press Club and has won three Emmys for television reporting. He has also hosted weekend pops concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and appears seasonally with The Boston Pops Orchestra.

Host DAVID PRATHER weaves stories about each musical era, preparing children for the music that they will hear performed. Prather, a popular storyteller, has performed more than 2,000 shows with the celebrated theater project "We Tell Stories." He has appeared as a part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Toyota Symphonies For Youth pre-concert programs, and participated in workshops for the Performing Arts Center Education Division, Performing Tree, and other arts organizations.

To request an entry form for The Classic, call 323.850.2165 or register on-line at www.active.com. Every registered entrant receives a voucher for two free tickets to the Hollywood Bowl, souvenir T-shirt, and more.

# # #