RASH OF RAT DEATHS WON'T KILL OFF RODENT `KENTUCKY DERBY'

RASH OF RAT DEATHS WON'T KILL OFF RODENT `KENTUCKY DERBY'

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Wireless Flash) -- Organizers of an upcoming race between rodents are discovering the world truly is a rat race. Louisville's Spalding University is scheduled to hold its 27th Annual Running Of The Rodents next Wednesday (Apr. 21) -- but this year's race may be in jeopardy because of a rash of mysterious rodent deaths: at least nine so far. Rodent race spokeswoman Lauren Whelan says many potential rat racers were slain by an outbreak of rat pneumonia, and many of the student rat trainers are now scrambling trying to find new rats to race. If the race does go off as planned, the rats will race each other around a 16-foot-track and the winner will receive a garland of Froot Loops cereal as their prize. The university is also considering honoring the memories of the dead rodents with a moment of silence before the race.

CONTACT: Lauren Whelan, ****; Louisville, KY; (502) 585-7140