FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (April 15, 2011) - On no better day to display the true meaning of being a Patriot, Patriots Media Relations staff members Christy Berkery and Michael Jurovaty will lead the Patriots Marathon Team of twenty runners to the starting line of the 115th Boston Marathon this coming Marathon Monday, April 18 in Boston.

After months of training, meetings and fundraising, the Patriots Marathon Team will run the historic race starting on Main Street in Hopkinton at 10:30 a.m. with the goal of reaching the finish line on Boylston St. while wearing an official Patriots Marathon Team jersey.

This year's Patriots Marathon Team set an ambitious and Patriotic goal of raising $76,000 and have already eclipsed that mark with a record-breaking effort of $78,000 and counting. In the four years since the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation has fielded a team, they have raised more than $250,000 for deserving nonprofits. This year, the funds raised will support scholarships for youth in need at the University of Massachusetts Boston as well as the NEPCF's Community MVP Award program which awards grants to nonprofit organizations through nominations of deserving volunteers in the New England region.

"The Kraft family and the Patriots organization would like to thank Christy, Michael and the entire marathon team," said Patriots Charitable Foundation President Joshua Kraft. "Thanks to their dedication and this year's record-breaking fundraising efforts, deserving students and committed volunteers throughout the region will benefit from the entire team's commitment. We wish them the best of luck and will be cheering for them this Patriots Day."

This year's team includes runners from nine states and first time marathon runners. Runners including George Marr from Kingstown, R.I. applied to the team after responding to opportunities announced through the Patriots Facebook and Twitter accounts. When applying to the team, each runner submitted information about their desire to run on the team which included stories of being life-long Patriots fans, triumph over personal difficulties and a desire to lead healthy lives. 

For more information about the Patriots Marathon Team or the Community MVP and scholarship programs visit, www.patriots.com/community. For more information about how to receive email or text alerts each time a Patriots Marathon Team runner reaches checkpoints throughout the race, or for personal stories about members of the team contact Sarah Leong Oliver at SarahL@patriots.com or 508-326-4336.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION MARATHON TEAM MEMBERS

Christy Berkery - Boston, MA
Deirdre Calvert - Medford, MA
Jill Chisholm - Wilmington, MA
Keith Cox - Spartanburg, SC
Carol Crutchfield - Providence, RI
Justin Garafono - Lowell, MA
Gavin Hanover - Phoenix, AZ
Bryce Helie - Newport, RI
Mark Hopler - Ocoee, FL
Michael Jurovaty - Boston, MA
Meredith LaPierre - Kittery, ME
George Marr - Kingstown, RI
Matthew McDermod - Boston, MA
Fred Riley - Westborough, MA
Katie Shaw - Scituate, MA
Joe Sobalo - Brighton, MA
Cynthia Springford - Plaistow, NH
Marius Toma - Chandler, AZ
Lauren Tourgee - Canton, MA;

Highest Fundraiser: $7,147.00
Christine Williams - North Easton, MA