Comedian Bob Newhart Performs Today During Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K

The Lucy Desi Museum & Center for Comedy, Chautauqua Striders, and the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena are proud to announce that comedy legend Bob Newhart will be the featured performer of the 2014 Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K weekend. Newhart will be showcased today, October 11th in a night of comedy at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Lucille Ball's hometown of Jamestown, NY.

"Having a legend like Bob Newhart perform in Jamestown further proves that our city celebrates the best in comedy like no other," said Journey Gunderson, executive director of the Lucy Desi Museum & Center for Comedy. "There is an excited buzz in the community and we're looking forward to another great night of comedy that people will remember for years to come."

Comedian Bob Newhart is world-renowned for his deadpan delivery and lifelong success in comedy, and continues to sell out concert halls for young and old throughout America. He starred in two critically acclaimed long-running situation comedies, the 1970's sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and the 1980's sitcom Newhart. He has won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and was named as one of the Top 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time by Comedy Central. Most recently he's had starring roles in Elf and Horrible Bosses, and also won the 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Professor Proton in the hit television show, The Big Bang Theory.

Newhart's performance comes only months after the wildly successful 2014 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival headlined by Jay Leno, and groundbreaking of Comedy Center Park, the first phase in the building of the complex that will be the National Comedy Center. Jamestown has featured past comedians such as Martin Short (comedic headliner of the inaugural 2013 Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K weekend), Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano, Lewis Black, Bill Engvall, Kathleen Madigan, Billy Gardell, Paula Poundstone and more.

Comedy-lovers and runners of all abilities will visit the Jamestown area October 10-12 for a weekend of special events in addition to Bob Newhart's performance, highlighted by an attempt at breaking the world record for most people Grape Stomping, a 5K run/walk, kids run, 13.1-mile half marathon, sports expo. The 5K run/walk and kids run will take place on October 11th, and the second annual Lucy Town Half Marathon will take place on October 12th.

The USATF certified half-marathon course, which begins and ends in Jamestown, runs through the neighboring towns of Lakewood and Celoron. The course travels near the childhood home of Lucille Ball and by the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, the world's largest I Love Lucy mural painted by artists Gary Peters Jr. and Sr., and the Lucille Ball Memorial Park. The 2014 Lucy Town Half Marathon is the USATF Niagara Half Marathon Championship.

Univera Healthcare is the presenting sponsor for the weekend's events. Local support for the race weekend has also been provided by WCA Hospital, Jamestown Area Medical Associates, Jamestown Pediatric Associates, Shults Auto Group, The Legend Group, and Northwest Savings Bank.

Lucy Town organizers are still seeking groups or individuals to serve as event volunteers. No running experience necessary as there are a wide variety of roles needed for the weekend event. Positions may be available for a wide array of skills and interest, ranging from registering athletes and distributing information, to providing course side refreshments at water and food stations. For more information or to sign up, visit www.lucyrace.com.