Hyundai Hope On Wheels Brings New Charity 5K to Chicago

ALGONQUIN, ILL. (08/03/2012)(readMedia)-- Timed with National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will be bringing a new charity 5K run/walk to Chicago on Sept. 9. Taking place in tandem with the Chicago Half Marathon in Jackson Park, the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K encourages participants to collect pledge donations to benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

The Hyundai Hope on Wheels 5K at the Chicago Half Marathon is part of a new three-race series aimed at raising money for local children's hospitals, with 5Ks also planned in Miami and Irvine, Calif. for September. As a partnership between Hyundai Motor America and its U.S. dealerships, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will also donate $12 million to children's hospitals in 2012, including the awarding of Hyundai Hope Grants worth $250,000 each to 36 hospitals nationwide. Each grant will be presented at special ceremonies that invite the children fighting cancer at each institution to place their colorful handprints on a white Hyundai Tucson.

"As participants in the Hope On Wheels program, we're thrilled for this opportunity to get Chicago-area residents involved in the fight against pediatric cancer," said Scott Levy, general manager of Rosen Hyundai, a Hyundai dealership near Chicago. "Pairing the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K with the Chicago Half Marathon means that even those that don't participate in the 13-mile race can still enjoy the competitive racing fun at Jackson Park, all while benefiting a local cause at the same time."

Every 5K participant that raises at least $2,500 will be entered to win a three-night vacation package for two to New York City next spring, including two VIP press tickets to the annual Hope On Wheels kick-off event, accommodations in a premium hotel in Times Square and airfare from anywhere in the continental United States. The winner will also receive two public day tickets to the New York International Auto Show, which holds nearly every car sold in the United States under one roof and is one of the most popular automotive events in the world.

Aside from the potential to win the grand-prize trip to New York City, fundraisers will receive other prizes when they reach predetermined pledge levels, including a Team Hope sweatshirt blanket at $250, a Team Hope sport backpack at $500 and a Sportline heart-rate monitor watch for raising $1,000. All registered runners will get a free T-shirt and access to the Hyundai Hope On Wheels VIP tent on race day, which will include benefits like food and beverages, a photo wall and massages. Lastly, participants will each receive a custom finisher's medal.

For each new Hyundai vehicle sold in the United States, a portion of the proceeds is directed toward life-saving research through the Hope On Wheels program. Since its inception in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has donated more than $45 million to pediatric-cancer research, an amount that is expected to rise beyond $57 million by the end of 2012.

"As a Hyundai dealership, it is rewarding to know that every time we sell a car, we are helping to fund research that could save the lives of kids across the country," added Levy. "Plus, the additional money raised at the Hope On Wheels 5K will go a long way towards making a big difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer."

Those interested in participating in or supporting the Hope On Wheels 5K can register and donate at http://www.hyundairun4hope.org/race-registration/september-2012-chicago-il.html.

About Rosen Hyundai:

Part of the Rosen Motors Group, Rosen Hyundai proudly provides Chicago Hyundai fans with a wide inventory of new and used Hyundai vehicles, high-quality service and genuine OEM Hyundai parts. When Illinois Hyundai shoppers are looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient vehicle, they turn to the knowledgeable sales team at Rosen Hyundai to help them find the right model at the right price. To learn more, visit them online at www.rosenhyundai.com, reach their staff at 847-423-4065, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Rosen.Hyundai or stop by their showroom at 771 South Randall Rd. in Algonquin, Illinois.