Blue Planet Run Lets Runners Join Historic Athletic Event

Pace Runner Program and 10-Mile Challenge Allow Runners Across the Country to Take Part Physically in Nonstop, Around-the-World Relay Run

MILL VALLEY, Calif. – August 8, 2007 – Runners across the country can do more than watch the Blue Planet Run as it passes through their towns. They can actually join it themselves.

The Blue Planet Run, which raises money to fund safe-drinking-water projects across the globe, is an unprecedented nonstop around-the-world relay run that launched at the United Nations in New York City on June 1. Having traversed Europe, Russia and Asia, the 20 citizen athletes who make up the Blue Planet Run team began the North American portion of their journey in San Francisco on August 1. The Run concludes in New York City on September 4. Each Blue Planet Run team member covers 10 miles each day before passing a baton to the next awaiting runner.

Blue Planet Run’s new Pace Runner program permits one or two runners to join the Blue Planet Run team member during each 10-mile segment. The Blue Planet Run team member sets the pace, and the Pace Runner accompanies alongside, helping the BPR runner stay motivated and focused.

Anyone who can run an 8- or 9-minute mile is qualified to be a Pace Runner. Becoming one requires an $85 donation to the Blue Planet Run Foundation (BPRF), 100 percent of which goes directly to funding safe-drinking-water projects.

Other athletes, including bikers, walkers and fitness enthusiasts of all sorts, can join the Blue Planet Run fun by taking part in the 10-Mile Challenge. Challenge participants commit to running, walking, biking or otherwise traversing 10 miles at their convenience, and then logging their results on the Blue Planet Run Web site. Names and times are posted adjacent to one 10-mile leg of the Run on the interactive Blue Planet Run route map.

The 10-Mile Challenge calls for a $50 donation to the Blue Planet Run Foundation.

Registration for the Pace Runner program and 10-Mile Challenge is available at http://blueplanetrun.org/runwithus.

“So many of the people who have come out to see the Blue Planet Run told us they’re inspired to run themselves, and we wanted to offer them a fun way to experience some of the thrill and challenge our Blue Planet Run team members feel every day,” said Matt Kursh, CEO of BPRF. “Becoming a Pace Runner or taking part in the 10-Mile Challenge is a great way to put your fitness to the test and make a contribution to a worthy cause.”

More than 1 billion people are without access to safe drinking water, according to the Water Supply and Sanitation Council. Nearly 2.2 million people, most of them children, die each year owing to diseases related to unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. Water-related illnesses are the single greatest cause of human sickness and death worldwide.
According to BPRF, $30 can bring one person safe drinking water for life. To donate to BPRF, visit www.blueplanetrun.org. Donations are also being accepted at select Foot Solutions local franchise locations for the remainder of the year.
In addition, BPRF invites everyone to join its unique online “Messenger Program,” which allows participants to earn points by recruiting others to make donations and by spreading the word of the global water crisis. Winners can earn free trips to New York City to attend the finale of the 15,200-mile Run, or receive a genuine Blue Planet Run baton, just like the one the runners are carrying around the world. To become a Blue Planet Run Messenger, visit http://blueplanetrun.org/ext/messengerforms.

About Blue Planet Run Foundation
The Blue Planet Run Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the need for safe drinking water and funding working solutions today for the billion people living without water.

The U.S.-based foundation connects nongovernmental organizations worldwide with funding and promotes operational sustainability. The foundation’s signature awareness and fund-raising event is the Blue Planet Run, the first-ever around-the-world relay.

For more information about Blue Planet Run Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.blueplanetrun.org.

Blue Planet Run is a registered trademark of Blue Planet Run Foundation.