CLEARWATER, Fla., Dec. 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a prized pancake breakfast awaiting them at the end of their 5K, 10K run in the Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic race, over 1,900 runners from age 7 to 80 made the trek across downtown Clearwater’s Memorial Bridge and back to Coachman Park on Saturday, December 17^th, 2016.

Runners at the 28th Annual Say No to Drugs Race in Clearwater Florida, run over the Memorial Causeway Bridge, overlooking Clearwater Bay. Runners at the 28th Annual Say No to Drugs Race line up at Clearwater's Coachman Park, waiting for the signal to begin. Over 1,900 runners participated in this annual race. Runners at the 28th Annual Say No to Drugs Race pour on the coals to get through the 5k and 10k at Clearwater's Coachman Park on Saturday the 17th of December.

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Runners congregated under the big top as they ate their carbo-loading breakfast.  Participants also visited various booths promoting health including the tent sponsored by the Florida Foundation for a Drug-Free World which also had a Race Team of 35 members.   

On the park’s stage, Mr. Bob Cundiff, Clearwater City councilman, announced the top-runners of the various age groups.  Winners took photos under the large Say No to Drugs banner adorning one wall of the park’s bandshell.  Headlining the banner was a quote by L. Ron Hubbard which underscored the true meaning of the race:  “Drugs rob life of sensations which is the only reason for living anyhow.”    

Just a few feet from Coachman Park, volunteers were in and out of the headquarters for the Florida Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW) to replenish the over 4,000 Truth About Drugs booklets which were distributed to runners.  The headquarters, the construction of which was undertaken by the Church of Scientology, was opened last July.  Since then, FDFW Florida has carried its educational message to more than 540,000 youth and adults throughout the area. 

One former race director congratulated the organizers of the event by saying, “I want to compliment you on a great experience at the Say No to Drugs Race this morning.  The volunteers and the signage were numerous to make the race extremely convenient.  I’ve been a race director before and know how hard it is for all the pieces to come together, but you did an outstanding job and I for one really appreciate it.” 

Foundation for a Drug-Free World 
The Foundation for a Drug-Free World’s international Truth About Drugs program has reached 260 million people worldwide. The program is committed to eradicating drug abuse and providing meaningful drug education to young people. At the forefront of the Drug-Free World program are The Truth About Drugs booklets translated into 17 languages with 14 in all.  Inside are fact-based descriptions of mental and physical manifestations of each commonly abused drug reinforced by firsthand accounts from former users.

For More Information Contact:
Roxanne Sierro
727-467-6962

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