BALTIMORE--BLUE for Kids announced today that six running teams are in training for the 2008 Baltimore Marathon Team Relay taking place on Saturday, October 11th in Baltimore, Maryland. Teams hope to raise more than $10,000 for the BLUE for Kids children's hospital program in an effort they simply call a 'RUN FOR BEARS'.

Not only will runners 'RUN FOR BEARS', they will 'RUN WITH BEARS'. Runners will compete during the race carrying a Build-A-Bear Workshop teddy bear dressed in a Major League Baseball team uniform. In addition to the home area Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles, teams represented this year include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and world-champion Boston Red Sox.

It's been a tough season for the Orioles and Nationals as both teams are in last place in their respective divisions. While they won't compete for a World Series championship in October, look for a fierce battle between the bear-dressed Orioles and bear-dressed Nationals during the Baltimore Marathon.

Regardless of who comes out on top in the race, children across the country will be the big winners. Since the BLUE for Kids children's hospital program started, over 2,800 children coping with cancer, blood disorders, and other serious forms of illness and injury have received a unique Build-A-Bear experience. Money raised in the Baltimore event will ensure many more experiences in 2009.

If you're in a position to do so, please visit the TEAM FUNDRAISING PAGE and make a stuffed animal donation in support of our runners. 2008 Baltimore Marathon Team Relay runners include Jeff Scheyer, Robin Brody, Kevin Conway, Katie Pearl, Brett Plano, John Petro, Rusty Harner, Cassie Hoffman, Gary Laios, Mike Yeager, Rob Albrecht, Betsy Albrecht, Trevor Albrecht, Ken Arimitsu, Matt Cillis, Jeff Reichert, Rachel Coning, Pippin Gilman, Debbie Harner, Susie Douglas, Christine Dearth, Jim Adams, and Samuel Dearth. THANK YOU ALL!