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Every die-hard sports fan has at one time or another gone on a sports-watching marathon, logging hours of non-stop sports viewing all for the sake of fandom. ESPN Zone wants to reward those that do it best with its ninth-annual "Ultimate Couch Potato" competition, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.

ESPN Zone's New York, Chicago, and Baltimore locations are seeking four Couch Potato hopefuls at each site to go head-to-head to see who can watch the most continuous hours of televised sports. The Guinness Book of World Records mark for most continuous hours of televised sports watching is 69 hours, 48 minutes, set by Suresh Joachim in 2005.

2009 UCP Champ Jessica Mosley sat for an unofficial Guinness record of 70 hours, 45 minutes in 2009.

To enter ESPN Zone's Ultimate Couch Potato competition, hopefuls must send an e-mail to couchpotato@espnzone.com, and in 200 words or less, describe why they have what it takes to become ESPN Zone's Ultimate Couch Potato. Entries will be judged on passion for sports, competitive spirit and overall creativity. Each entry must include the phone number and mailing address of the sender and be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 9, 2009. Eight finalists will be chosen at each site, who will then take part in an on-camera interview to see just how deeply their fandom runs, before four finalists are chosen to compete for the title of Ultimate Couch Potato.

"People see ESPN Zone as the ultimate sports bar and ESPN as the gold standard in sports broadcasting, which makes us perfect for hosting a search for the ultimate sports-loving couch potato," said Christine Baum, national director of marketing, sales and communications for ESPN Zone. "Everyone knows someone out there that fits the description of Couch Potato; we want to sift through the spuds to find the Ultimate Couch Potato."

Potential Ultimate Couch Potatoes must remain in one of ESPN Zone's recliner chairs located in the front row of the sports mecca's "Screening Room." A wall of HDTVs will air non-stop sports programming until the last contestant throws in the towel. Participants can order unlimited food and beverages (excluding alcohol), but they may not sleep or leave their chair; restroom breaks are permitted every eight hours.

Each of the three winners of ESPN Zone's Ultimate Couch Potato competition (one in New York, one in Chicago and one in Baltimore) will receive a grand prize package worth over $4,000, which includes a customized XZipit(TM) recliner, a $1,000 gift certificate to Best Buy to buy their own HD TV, one year of free cable or satellite television, $1,000 in gift certificates and game cards to ESPN Zone and, of course, the Ultimate Couch Potato Champion's trophy complete with a real live spud. All participants will receive an ESPN Zone gift pack for participating.

For more information, visit www.espnzone.com/ultimatecouchpotato.

SOURCE ESPN Zone

Located in the vast waters of the of the Pacific Ocean, the Micronesian island of Kosrae has plenty of room for hundreds of canoeists to roam. That's what's needed to accommodate the hundreds of islanders participating in the second island-wide Outrigger Canoe Competition on October 24, 2009, one of the largest events of its kind in Micronesia.

"Canoeing is becoming a major sport on Kosrae," said Grant Ismael, executive director of the Kosrae Visitors Bureau. "This race draws Kosraens of all ages, and visitors love the camaraderie and excitement."

Some 800 paddlers from Kosrae's four villages - Utwe, Malem, Lelu, Tafunsak - will compete for prizes and community pride during the event and celebration. The teams will race in traditional six-person outrigger canoes, in a fleet of 130 total canoes.

The official day of competition comes after months of practicing and preparation, including building the traditional outrigger canoes used in the race. Tall breadfruit trees are felled and brought down the mountain by each village. Village teams dig out the trees to make canoes with the guidance of a traditional canoe master builder.

On the day of the race, all of Kosrae turns out in their village colors to cheer for their teams. One of the favorite Kosraen traditions is to out sing and out cheer the other village teams.

To learn more about Kosrae's second island-wide outrigger canoe competition contact Grant Ismael, executive director of the Kosrae Visitors Bureau at kosrae@mail.fm" target=_new>kosrae@mail.fm.

SOURCE Kosrae Visitors Bureau

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation today announced that it will host The Runyon 5K, a run/walk and kids fun run at Yankee Stadium to support cancer research on Sunday, November 15th 2009. Proceeds from the event, the first of its kind to be held inside the new stadium, will support brilliant young scientists carrying out innovative research for all types of cancer.

"This is a chance for New Yorkers and Yankees fans to follow in the footsteps of Yankees greats, for kids to run where their heroes run, and for every participant to make a real impact on cancer. From families to corporate teams, from fans to cancer survivors, all can enjoy this unique event at this incredible structure, which represents so much to so many," said Lorraine W. Egan, executive director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.

100% of all funds that a participant raises will directly support cancer research. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has a long history with the Yankees: Joe DiMaggio was on its Board, and Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle were supporters. Damon Runyon himself was a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist and revolutionized how the game was covered.

Event Details

The Runyon 5K is a unique run/walk charity event that uses the stadium as its course. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. inside Yankee Stadium in New York on November 15th, 2009.

Participants will run or walk the stadium's concourses and ramps, climb stairs between levels, and finish with a lap around the warning track that encircles the playing field. In addition, there will be a fun run for kids around the warning track.

Local scientists funded by the Foundation will be on hand to answer questions about their cancer research and the work of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.

More detail can be found at www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium

Participants

The event is open to both individuals and teams, with corporate teams encouraged to compete.

The event organizers send a special invitation to cancer survivors and those running in memory of lost loved ones or in honor of those affected by cancer.

Families and supporters are welcome. Non participants will have the opportunity to view the event from the bleachers in the stands.

All participants are encouraged to raise funds for the event, and everyone will have access to their own fundraising page on The Runyon 5K website.

How to Register

Registration will begin online on September 15. For more information and to sign up for the event, visit www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium. The registration fee is $35 for students and children and $50 for adults. Entry is limited to the first 2,500 registrants.

Sponsors

In addition to the New York Yankees' support, other event sponsors include 24 Hour Fitness, SIRIUS XM Radio, New York Post and WNBC4 New York.

SOURCE Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Winky Promotions and Knockout Entertainment Inc. (www.KnockoutSeries.com) announced the launch of a series of events entitled "Knockout Fight Club." The series mixes professional bouts with musical performances and stages the events in some of the trendiest clubs and cities in the Country.

Each event will boast professionally sanctioned boxing followed by performances from successful musical entertainers. Spectators will be treated to unprecedented ring-side action. It is the closest unfettered access an enthusiast can get to the ring without donning gloves themselves. There are six events scheduled in New York City, six in South Beach, and twelve in San Juan.

August 19th kicks off the "Knockout Fight Club" series with professional bouts featuring Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin and Omar Sheika. The evening will also include a musical performance by Jadakiss, entertainer Q-Tip and multiple celebrity appearances. The venue, M2 Ultra Lounge combines the sexy vibe of a cozy lounge with the non-stop energy of a mega-club. It is the perfect backdrop for the most intimate prize fight in the history of the sport.

"I'm always looking for creative avenues to give opportunities to other talented fighters and I think we hit the mark with Knockout Fight Club. It's one of the most exciting ways to give exposure to people who have a hard time making a name on their own," said former undisputed light middleweight boxing champion Winky Wright.

"We wanted to tap directly into the lifestyles of boxing aficionados. By blending bouts and musical performances in a club setting we are able to provide spectators with an unrivaled, exhilarating experience," said Tony Hammel of Knockout Entertainment Inc. "We intend to literally take the fight to the fans."

Doors open at 7:00pm EDT. Tickets range from $75 to $200 and can be purchased at www.KnockoutSeries.com.

SOURCE Knockout Entertainment Inc.