USA OLYMPIC TRACK & FIELD GOLD MEDALIST LEADS PHIPPS BEND CROSS COUNTRY COURSE RIBBON CUTTING LUNCHEON EVENT WITH SPEECH & OLYMPIC RACE FILM PRESENTATION

NEWS RELEASE (For immediate release regarding event held on Thursday, December 29, 2016)

USA OLYMPIC TRACK & FIELD GOLD MEDALIST LEADS PHIPPS BEND CROSS COUNTRY COURSE RIBBON CUTTING LUNCHEON EVENT WITH SPEECH & OLYMPIC RACE FILM PRESENTATION

What: Phipps Bend Industrial Park 5K Cross Country Course Ribbon Cutting Luncheon & Keynote Speech with USA Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist Bob Schul

Who: Volunteer High School & Cherokee High School Cross Country Teams & VHS Head Coach Jim Ailshie When: Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 12 noon [Doors open 11:45 a.m./Lunch noon/Ribbon cutting 1:30 pm]

Why: Commemorate the grand opening of the new Cross Country Course serving the Hawkins County community; especially Volunteer High School and Cherokee High School boys & girls cross country teams

Contact: Volunteer High School Track & Field Coach Jim Ailshie (423)754-4800, or jim.ailshie@gmail.com

The only American runner ever to win the 5,000 meter race (3.1 miles) in the Olympic Games will be the keynote speaker for the new Phipps Bend Industrial Park's 5,000 meter cross country course ribbon cutting and luncheon. Bob Schul of Dayton, Ohio, will visit Hawkins County for this special event during the week between Christmas and New Year's. Schul - who was the pre-race favorite, and confidently predicted an Olympic victory - won the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games 5K race on a cinder track, wearing leather spikes, while competing for the U.S. Air Force. He accomplished this feat more than 50 years ago - and no American previously, or since then - matched his performance. Schul will show the film of his Olympic Gold Medal winning race, and share coaching and training tips, along with mental toughness secrets with East Tennessee coaches, athletes, parents and guests.

[Page 2] USA OLYMPIC TRACK & FIELD GOLD MEDALIST LEADS PHIPPS BEND CROSS COUNTRY COURSE RIBBON CUTTING EVENT WITH SPEECH & OLYMPIC RACE FILM PRESENTATION
"I plan to tell some stories about my Olympic finals race, and the psychological events that came up with the other Olympians while we were in a holding room before race time in Tokyo," Schul said in a telephone interview this week. "I'll share with the runners how you have to be aware of your own abilities - know that your training is paying off - and be mentally strong to do everything your body can do to achieve maximum performance in a competition."

Schul held the 2 mile World Record, and the 3 mile and 5,000 meter American Records. He is now an internationally renowned coach who has trained thousands of runners, including USA national caliber track athletes, during his more than five decade coaching career. He served as the official U.S. Air Force Team coach, as well as coach at two universities in Ohio: Wright State and Wittenberg. Schul also served as national team head coach for Malaysia following his Olympic victory. His numerous honors include induction into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame, and the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.

Schul is a sought-after motivational speaker, and an accomplished author with three books to his credit, including his autobiography, "In The Long Run," which may be available for purchase at this event.

"I've had athletes who bought my Bob Schul Training Manual write me that they were now running faster than ever," Schul said. "Some report that they're running faster than they did 10 years ago, despite having aged 10 years." Schul's coaching is very different from most programs, and draws upon Schul's training under legendary Hungarian coach Mihaly Igloi.

Event attendees will be served lunch at the spacious Cooper Standard Automotive Manufacturing plant in the Phipps Bend Industrial Park, followed by Schul's multimedia presentation, which is designed to inspire, motivate, and improve the performances of coaches and runners.

Event organizer Jim Ailshie is in his first year as head cross country/track & field coach at Volunteer High School. Ailshie says this new Phipps Bend cross country course and event helps put the two Hawkins County high schools' running programs on the map.

"This beautiful Phipps Bend cross country course is among the most scenic running areas anywhere in the nation," Ailshie said. "We are very fortunate to have so many entities come together to provide this community asset. This is only possible with the coordination of TVA, Phipps Bend Industrial Park, Hawkins County Industrial Development Board, Hawkins County Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, Hawkins County Schools, and especially school board member Chris Christian."

This cross country course grand opening event is open to all Hawkins County residents and guests, and is aimed especially for those with an interest in running and fitness. Dress is informal (wear running clothes and jog the course afterwards if you like!).

Doors open at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Cooper Standard Automotive Manufacturing, located in the Phipps Bend Industrial Park. Lunch served at noon, followed by Bob Schul's keynote speech, and the cross country course ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m.

Coach Ailshie requests that attendees R.S.V.P. so that enough meals can be prepared.