NASHVILLE, TN (MAY 25, 2017) Sister Hazel band, fans, and Ultramarathon runners gathered in Key West, FL on Saturday, May 20 to take part in the 10th Annual KEYS100 Ultramarathon. Sister Hazel’s team, “Lyrics for Life,” raised $5,083, more than double their goal, for the “Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys.” Their first time competing in a six-runner 100-mile team relay race, the band finished strong at 67 out of 103 teams averaging ten minutes per mile. Throughout the race the band updated fans with live race videos. Watch the videos here.
The 10th Annual KEYS100 Ultramarathon is a series of point-to-point races, beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, that includes four distinct competitions: individual races of 100 mi, 50 mi, 50 km, and the original Florida Keys six-runner 100-mile team relay race. KEYS100 Ultramarathon promotes charitable fundraising for “Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys” in support of their educational work with prostate and other cancers, free screenings, and direct support of cancer patients and their families throughout the Keys.
“For us, running the KEYS100 was about pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone.” said Sister Hazel’s bass player, Jett Beres. “ For over 20 years we’ve learned as a band how to overcome a lot of things together, but it always centered around our music. This was an entirely different beast that challenged us physically as individuals and together as a team. Although none of us underestimated how difficult it would be, this race pushed all of us to our limits. To see each one of us overcome the individual challenges in both the training and the 16-hour day of racing, to finish this race and cross the finish line together, has been an incredible inspiration to our band.”
**Suggested Tweet: @SisterHazelBand #TeamLyricsforLife conquers #Ultramarathon #KEYS100.
ABOUT SISTER HAZEL:
Originating from Gainesville, FL, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called “one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years” by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Song “All for You” topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and the success propelled their album to platinum status. In their first showing on the country music charts they made a strong debut with “Lighter In The Dark” at #4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, #6 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart, #30 on Billboard‘s Top Current Albums chart and #79 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band landed on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart again in 2016 with “Unplugged From Daryl’s House Club” at #75. Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band was a pioneer in the themed cruise industry by co-founding “The Rock Boat” and annually hosts events like the “Hazelnut Hang,” and ” Camp Hazelnut” that focuses on creating unique experiences and interacting with the fans. Sister Hazel has been equally attentive to connecting with their audience through social media having amassed over a million social followers. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with “Lyrics For Life.” Founded by singer Ken Block, the charity unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.
