Women’s Running Magazine Women’s Half Marathon & 5k

For Immediate Release

July 8, 2010, St. Petersburg, Fla.: Publix Supermarkets has signed on to be presenting sponsor of the Women's Running Magazine's Women's Half Marathon to Benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society held in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sunday November 21, 2010. The race, expected to become one of the largest women's running events in the country, boasts a one-of-a-kind patent-pending finisher's medal with removable charm and the ultimate designer goodie bag.

As part of the partnership, Publix will provide all participants with a fabulous finishers' breakfast and the legendary Publix Bakery Cookie Café. "It is a pleasure to be a part of this world-class event," said Shannon Patten, Publix manager of media and community relations. "We look forward to joining the camaraderie and competition and making a positive impact on the lives of those in our communities." Publix, the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States, will also sponsor the "Publix Mile," an on-course cheer zone staffed by Publix associates.

Dawna Stone, Women's Half Marathon president and founder, said, "I'm thrilled to be affiliated with such a well-known and highly respected company. Publix excels in community involvement and sponsoring the Women's Half Marathon - St. Petersburg is a great way for Publix to reach out to their primary audience, women."

The Women's Half Marathon has a flat, fast course that winds along the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. At mile 12, runners will have the unique experience of running through the domed Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. With newfound energy, runners will cross the waterfront race finish line at Albert Whitted Park, where food, drinks and music will help them celebrate their accomplishment.

Those who are not ready to do the half marathon distance can choose to take part in the Women's Running Magazine 5k, a 3.1-mile course that will start just after the half marathon. Both the half marathon and the 5k are designed to be extremely walker-friendly - participants can maintain a 20-minute-per-mile pace and still finish within the time limit.

Currently, participants from more than 44 states and Canada have registered to participate. The Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront hotel will serve as the host hotel, and the waterfront Renaissance Vinoy Resort will host the two-day fitness expo to take place on the Friday and Saturday prior to the Sunday race day.

About The Women's Running Magazine Women's Half Marathon Series:

The Women's Running Magazine Women's Half Marathon Series is the nation's largest women's half marathon series. Three 2010 events in Nashville, Tenn. (Sept. 10), Scottsdale/Tempe, Ariz. (Nov. 7), and St. Petersburg, Fla. (Nov. 21) are expected to host over 20,000 total runners. The WHM Series awards all half marathon finishers an industry first, patent-pending two-in-one medal and charm. Finishers also receive the "Ultimate Goodie Bag" and tech tee. All events in the series begin with a two-day women-specific health and fitness expo and finish with an outdoor party complete with food, music and white linen tablecloths. Each event also includes a 5k run. For more information, please visit womenshalfmarathon.com or facebook.com/womenshalfmarathon. To learn more about Women's Running magazine, visit womensrunning.com.

About Publix:

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 142,000 employees, with 2009 sales of $24.3 billion. Currently Publix has 1,020 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has been named one of FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" for 13 consecutive years. In addition, Publix's dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. For more information, visit the company's website, www.publix.com.