Runners from Across the Country Run 13.1 LA Marathon, Raise $150,000 for Clean Water, Sanitation in Africa through World Vision

First-time Runner Pushes 72 lbs of Water to the Finish Line, Raising Awareness for Millions in the World Without

RACE DAY—Sunday January 16, 2011 Venice Beach Boardwalk, CA

WHO:

More than 300 runners have joined Team World Vision for the 13.1 Los Angeles, benefiting World Vision’s WASH program. With a goal to raise $150,000, the teams’ efforts will help provide communities in Africa access to sustainable clean water, hygiene development, awareness and advocacy. Each member of the team has their own unique story of motivation.

Jeff Verry, a novice runner from Pasadena, CA is running because he has seen first-hand the negative impact when clean water is scarce. While volunteering in Honduras a few years ago, Jeff saw women spend hours each day collecting water for their families—time that could have been spent working to earn an income.

“Everyone wants world peace, that’s not going to happen. But clean water is achievable, this is not hard,” said Verry.

Look for Jeff on the race day pushing his 72 lb. 'gadget,' equipped with 20 liters of water—the amount that is needed each day for basic sanitation and consumption according to the United Nations Human Development Report Check out Jeff’s website at www.challengeh20.org to learn more or make a donation.

WHAT:

300+ Team World Vision members will run the 13.1 Los Angeles for World Vision’s WASH program. They will be running in orange shirts printed with “I care so I run,” or “13.1 for Africa.”

WHY:

The motivation is simple. More than 4,200 children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation facilities. Worldwide, 884 million people lack access to safe water, and an additional 2.5 billion lack basic sanitation. Without this access, entire communities are put at risk in regard to health, food production, economic opportunities and the lives of their most vulnerable members—children.

WHEN:

Sunday, January 16, 2011
Race starts at 7:13 a.m.

WHERE:

Venice Beach Boardwalk at Rose
Rose Ave. and Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

CONTACT:

To interview athletes or Michael Chitwood, Team World Vision national director, contact Andrea Wittig, Team World Vision LA, 818.400.2614, awittig@worldvision.org

Team World Vision empowers groups and individuals to dedicate their sports and fitness goals to helping communities in Africa. Visit www.teamworldvision.org for more.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org