MIAMI, Feb. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- South Florida residents of all ages are encouraged to lead a healthier life by participating in the DRIHOPE4ACURE 5k/10k/Kids Super Hero Fun Run for FREE at the 7(th) annual DRI Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day Presented by Walgreens. To be held on March 4, 2017 at Marlins Park, the event benefits the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The first 1,000 people to use the promo code GORUNMIAMI at registration by February 28, 2017 will have their fee waived. Event organizers hope to give locals a chance to get active through an effort called Get Moving Miami-Dade, while supporting research for a cure for diabetes. All runners will receive participation medals, and there will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards in 26 categories courtesy of MultiRace - which is setting up the chipped and professionally timed race.

Following the run, participants are encouraged to join in the DRI Walk, which will take place inside the home of the Miami Marlins. It is also free to attend, along with other fun activities including face painting, giveaways, live entertainment from the Hip Hop Kidz dance group and Magic City Jedi, a children's fun-zone, health booths, a raffle to win Marlins game tickets, food and so much more. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero to help defeat diabetes together.

"Olivia is our hero because she fights the strongest enemy every day [diabetes]," said Arianna Lamosa, whose 8-year-old daughter has type 1 diabetes and each year walks and fundraises with her team Super O. "Fighting alone is not an option. No amount is too small and no amount is too large. Every dollar will only get us closer to a biological cure."

Runners can use the promo code GORUNMIAMI to register online at www.WalgreensWalkDRI.org. On the day of the event, race registration begins at 6 a.m., the run starts at 8 a.m., and the Kids Fun Run is at 8:40 a.m. The DRI Walk kicks off at 9 a.m. while the family fun activities continue through 12 noon.

This community-driven event is a collaborative effort between the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and Walgreens, who have partnered for seven consecutive years and together have raised more than $1.7 million for the cure-focused work of the DRI.

Corporate partners to date include Walgreens, Coca-Cola, Island Planet, RedBull, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Noi Café, Omnipod, and Yasso. As well as our media partners, Y100 Miami, 93.9 MIA, TU94.9, Big105.9, Newsradio 610, The Sports Animal 940, 103.5 The Beat, Comcast, Clear Channel Outdoor, Pinecrest Magazine, the Miami Herald, 102.7 The Beach, 790 The Ticket, 101.5 Lite FM, and 104.3 The Shark. The DRI is actively seeking support from participants, corporate partners, sponsors, and volunteers.

For more information, call 1-800-321-3437.

About the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) and Foundation: The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. As the largest and most comprehensive research center dedicated to curing diabetes, the DRI is aggressively working to develop a biological cure by restoring natural insulin production and normalizing blood sugar levels without imposing other risks. Researchers have already shown that transplanted islet cells allow patients to live without the need for insulin therapy. Some study participants have maintained insulin independence for more than 10 years. The DRI is now building upon these promising outcomes by developing a DRI BioHub, a bioengineered "mini organ" that mimics the native pancreas. While various BioHub platforms are being tested in preclinical and clinical studies, the DRI is also developing strategies to eliminate the need for anti-rejection drugs and reset the immune system to block autoimmunity. For more information, please visit DiabetesResearch.org, call 800-321-3437

About Walgreens: Walgreens (Walgreens.com) one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 10 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,175 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens omnichannel business includes Walgreens.com and VisionDirect.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

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SOURCE Diabetes Research Institute Foundation