PR CONTACTS

Jora Bart

651-312-3498

Ellen McNair

651-265-4819

U.S. FIGURE SKATING

Renee Felton

303-717-7749

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - To celebrate the 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships coming to Saint Paul Jan. 15-24, the local organizing committee (LOC) is proud to announce the first-ever Figure Skating Frozen 5K on Sunday, Jan. 10, where participants will complete 12 laps on figure skates or hockey skates at the Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval outdoor ice rink.

This unique event, presented by HealthPartners and KARE 11, has never been done before! Skaters of all ages and levels will partake in a non-competitive, family friendly 5K skate between noon - 2 p.m. All participants will receive a Figure Skating Frozen 5K pom stocking hat, SWAG bag, participation medal and a ticket voucher for the 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Skate rentals will be available on site.

Representatives from TRIA Orthopaedic and Regions Hospital will lead warm-ups before the official start of the 5K at 12:30 p.m. Former U.S. champion and Stars on Ice cast member Ryan Bradley will make a special appearance acting as the honorary starter of the event. Skaters from Twin City Figure Skating Association member clubs will perform in the center ice area throughout the event and Snow Plow Sam, the official mascot of U.S. Figure Skating, will be on-hand to meet and greet participants.

Skaters can register for the 5K by clicking here. The event is $25 in advance or $35 on the day of the skate. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Skating Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to Minnesota skaters who are motivated, have potential and love skating.

In addition, InSports Foundation will provide entry fee scholarships and Riedell will provide skates for 20 disadvantaged local youth who may not otherwise be able to participate in the skate. HealthPartners will also be hosting a skate drive and are encouraging participants to donate new or gently used skates that will be refurbished by Strauss Skates and donated to programs that serve local youth. The first 50 people who donate skates will receive an additional voucher for a ticket to select events during the U.S. Championships.

The U.S. Championships serve as the final qualifying events to make the U.S. World Figure Skating Team and the U.S. Olympic Team. The U.S. Figure Skating Championships attract more than 1,600 athletes, coaches and officials, and over 110,000 fans annually to the host community and have generated up to $30 million in economic impact for recent host cities. The annual event, held since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event, with past winners including Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton. The city of Saint Paul also hosted the 2008 U.S. Championships. Champions included 2010 Olympians Mirai Nagasu, Evan Lysacek, and Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.

Single-session tickets, Championship Weekend Packages and All-Event Ticket Packages can be purchased online at 2016uschampionships.com or at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office. Groups (12+) call 651-312-3486.