Race Day Events - February 19, 2009
For an hourly schedule of the day's events, click here.
Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival
11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Downtown City Park
There is no better place to experience the Amgen Tour of California than at the Lifestyle Festival. Located in Paso Robles City Park next to the Finish Line, the Festival will feature a health & fitness expo, cancer awareness education, cycling gear, bike safety, food and live entertainment. Thousands of people are expected to turn out to watch the race and the Lifestyle Festival will be the center of it all.
The Paso Robles Lifestyle Festival features a special Kid Zone featuring 3 large inflatables: the Tiki Tower, Dragon Slide and Basketball Shoot. Of course there will be face painting, clowns, refreshments and plenty to keep kids having fun before and after the riders cross the finish line.
For the adults, three Jumbotrons will broadcast the race live as the riders cross the valley and head for Paso Robles. There will be live radio broadcasts from ESPN 2 and KZOZ from inside the park, great downtown restaurants and plenty to see and do for everyone in your family! The festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free to the public.
For parking and shuttle information, click here.
Inaugural JUSTIN Tour of Paso Robles Bike-a-Thon
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Justin Winery & Vineyard
Justin Winery & Vineyard is sponsoring a coordinated ride, the Wellness Community Central Coast Inaugural Tour of Paso. A maximum of 100 riders will be allowed to participate.
The course is a 15 mile ride from Justin
Vineyards in northwest Paso to the Amgen Tour of California
finish line in downtown Paso Robles, ending slightly before the
race. Tour participants are invited to a wine and cheese
reception after the race. For more details, contact Justin
Winery at 805-238-6932 ext. 300.
More
information.
Breakaway Miles During the Amgen Tour of California
2:30 pm
Spring Street through ATOC Finish Line
"One person alone does not beat cancer. It takes a team"
Please join us to celebrate the strength, courage
and determination of cancer survivors everywhere during the
Breakaway Mile in Paso Robles on Thursday, February 19, 2009.
In honor of cancer survivors everywhere and with the spotlight on one special local survivor, Amgen created the Breakaway Mile — an honorary one-mile bike ride that takes place at the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California, prior to the stage conclusion of the professional race. The Breakaway Mile will take place in four 2009 race host cities: Santa Rosa, Modesto, Paso Robles and Escondido. Each Breakaway Mile will feature a local cancer survivor and an Amgen scientist who plays a crucial role in developing breakthrough medicines. Similar to the support team that helps a cyclist breakaway from the pack, it takes a strong support network to help a person break away from cancer. Paso Robles resident Ryelle Leverett, along with her “peloton” of family and friends will ride the Breakaway Mile in Paso Robles, starting at 2:30pm and ending just short of the actual finish line at 11th and Spring Streets. Line up on Spring Street to cheer her on.
Ryelle Leverett, Cancer Survivor
Diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumor in December 2007, Ryelle
Leverett hasn’t lost focus on the importance of remaining calm
and breathing deeply. She shares that there is no helpful
energy in being gloomy about something you may or may not be
able to change, and that it’s better for your health if you
laugh and enjoy the present.
Ryelle has maintained her positive outlook and continues to exercise through treatment, which included surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and now consists of ongoing chemotherapy. Ryelle is extremely grateful for the support she receives from her husband, who conducts extensive cancer research online and brings a smile to her face as he keeps a watchful eye on her mental well being.
She’s also found great strength from her weekly journaling class at The Wellness Community. Journaling is one of the many programs offered at The Wellness Community that helps participants take control of their cancer experience by focusing the mind, body and spirit. Joining Ryelle for the Breakaway Mile are the members of her support team, including her husband Ron, mother, sister, aunt and walking friends Ellen and Barbara, as well as Amgen Scientist Jon Oliner.
Deanna Meate, Cancer Survivor
Leading out the Breakaway Mile is Deanna Meate of the Paso Robles Police Department. Deanna was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2007 while planning to attend the Police Academy. With her support system of family, friends and co-workers, Deanna was not only able to beat cancer, but also train for and compete in the Wildflower Triathlon, only 8 days after her treatment ended.
One of the best ways she found of coping with the diagnosis and treatment was “allowing myself to feel whatever it was I was feeling that day, without justifying it. Also, exercise! It makes you feel alive and strong and capable of conquering anything.” Deanna graduated the Police Academy in December of 2008 and is looking forward to being sworn in as a Paso Robles police officer.
Most Courageous Rider Award
Each day, the Most Courageous Rider will earn Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ jersey. It will be awarded to a cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer. The jersey will not necessarily be awarded to the fastest or best cyclist of the day, but rather to the rider who best demonstrates courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination and perseverance. Phyllis Piano from Amgen will stand at the podium to award the jersey to the winner during the press conference following the finish on February 19th.
About The Wellness Community
The Wellness Community is an international, non-profit organization that provides support, education and hope to people with cancer and those who care for them. By providing free professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress reduction classes, The Wellness Community helps individuals affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and enhance quality of life. The Wellness Community also collaborates with academic and medical partners to conduct evidence-based research and provide training in the field of psychosocial oncology with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and the individuals who care for them. The Wellness Community assists individuals affected by cancer at over 100 locations worldwide, with a branch in Paso Robles located at 614 13th Street. Learn more at www.thewellnesscommunity.org.
About Breakaway from Cancer
Founded in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer™ is a complementary component to the Amgen race sponsorship. Breakaway from Cancer strives to raise awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and financial support. The initiative includes charitable partners the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Patient Advocate Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation and The Wellness Community, and it also has joined forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer. Learn more at www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
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