NIKE FESTIVAL OF MILES ANNOUNCES 2015 ATHLETE IN NEED
June 4 Charity Track Meet to Benefit Brian Ott

SAINT LOUIS (April 2015) – The Festival of Miles Foundation announced today that proceeds from this year’s Nike Festival of Miles on June 4 will benefit Brian Ott, a 16-year-old who has been battling cancer of the brain and spinal cord since he was three years old.

Brian Ott attends Fort Zumwalt West High School in O’Fallon, Mo. where he is a manager for the school’s football and basketball teams. An athlete in his own right, Brian has played sports his whole life and currently plays hockey for the Gateway Locomotives, a special needs team.

“I have known Brian since he was three years old and in all of that time with everything he has been through, I have never heard him complain about anything. Whenever we see Brian at the treatment center or at a “Friends” event he always has a smile on his face. Everyone at Friends of Kids with Cancer admire the amazing love and strength of the Ott family,” said Margie Sedlack, Program Coordinator, Friends of Kids with Cancer.

His mother Erin says Brian is currently stable and on a break from his treatment while doctors research kidney issues they believe are the result of long-term chemotherapy.

“The 2015 Nike Festival of Miles comes at a perfect time to support Brian as he likely returns to treatment in June, according to his mom,” said Ben Rosario, Meet Director for the Nike Festival of Miles. “The Ott family has been through a lot. Not only have they been battling Brian’s cancer for more than 13 years, but they have also dealt with a house fire and other financial hardship. I’m excited for the St. Louis community to pull together and support this family at another great Festival of Miles event! Let’s make a positive difference in Brian’s life!”

This year’s meet will take place on Thursday evening June 4 at Saint Louis University High School, and will feature an action-packed schedule of races over the course of two-and-a-half hours. The event serves as a chance for some of the nation’s best high school athletes to compete on the same night as the pros. In addition to the high school all-star mile races, the meet includes a professional men’s mile and a professional women’s 800. Last year, Jordan McNamara ran 3:54.27 to break the meet record for the men’s mile.

Other youth events include the GO! St. Louis Healthy Kids Mile and Middle School Mile, which are open to any kindergarten through eighth grade student.

Tickets are $5 at the door, with all the funds from the gate going directly to the family of Brian Ott.

The Festival of Miles Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the sport of track and field and give back to athletes in need. The Festival of Miles is a track meet featuring 2.5 hours of non-stop action with youth and middle school races, high school races showcasing some of the nation’s top talent and pro races featuring Olympic level athletes. Each year all proceeds from ticket sales go to an athlete/athletes in need.

To learn more visit https://stlfestivalofmiles.com

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