The Golden Heart Fund (GHF) and the San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday the inaugural 'Golden Heart 4.9K.' The event will be held at Levi's® Stadium on Sunday, November 19th and will feature a 4.9K run, 49K corporate relay, and 1-mile junior run. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Golden Heart Fund to provide funding support and relief for alumni players in time of physical, mental, and financial crisis. The Golden Heart 4.9K builds off of the success of earlier iterations of the '49ers Rush,' which began in 2014 when Levi's Stadium opened.
The event will conclude with a post party that will feature music and food, and provide runners and non-runners alike with the opportunity to meet 49ers alumni. The Golden Heart 4.9K will also feature a health expo in Levi's Stadium the day before the event.
"The Golden Heart 4.9K run provides a great opportunity to engage in a fun, healthy community-bonding activity while contributing to a fund established to assist 49ers players who are experiencing difficult life situations," said Ron Ferrari, president of the GHF board of directors. "We encourage 49ers fans to join us on this run, and in this cause."
"I am both honored to run and proud to support an event that will better the lives of others," said Roger Craig, 49ers Hall of Famer and Golden Heart 4.9K grand marshal. "The opportunity to help past teammates and use the fund as a platform for them to overcome their struggles is an easy decision."
On December 14th, 2016, 49ers alumni greats unveiled the Golden Heart Fund at Levi's Stadium when San Francisco 49ers and Pro Football Hall of Fame owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., announced their pledge to support the creation of a charitable fund by 49ers alumni to assist other former players during times of need.
"I am extremely proud of my players and their passion for supporting each other in their lives after football," DeBartolo Jr. said. "The Golden Heart 4.9K is a great way for 49ers fans to show their love and appreciation to the alumni who have given so much to the Bay Area community over the years."
"After launching the Golden Heart Fund last year, we found that members of the Faithful were inspired by the idea of being able to give back to 49ers alumni players," said Jed York, 49ers CEO. "The Golden Heart 4.9K is another great opportunity for 49ers fans to help contribute to the alumni relief fund through an event that encourages holistic health."
DeBartolo Jr. and the York family each have pledged one million dollars to support the Golden Heart Fund. In addition, the team has committed to donate one-half of proceeds from the sale of 49ers Museum presented by Sony tickets to support the fund. The proceeds will help aid the fund in providing relief for disadvantaged and distressed former players and their families nationwide, including but not limited to supporting both mental and physical health issues, disaster relief, and personal financial hardship.
The Golden Heart Fund is directed by an alumni board consisting of offensive tackle Harris Barton, linebacker Ron Ferrari, tight end Brent Jones, and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott who helped to spearhead the initiative and laid the groundwork through his All Stars Helping Kids Foundation.
For more information on the Golden Heart 4.9K, please visit: www.goldenheartrun.com.
