FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Honda LA Marathon Officials: Don't Just Run - Run 4 Something
Brand-New Charity Fundraising Campaign "I Run 4 Something" Features
Edward Norton, Crowdrise and Thousands of Runners; Online Contests,
Prizes, Celebrities and Lots of Fun
Los Angeles- Recently returned U.S. military veterans, medical
professionals and top runners from the newly established African nation of
South Sudan all share at least one thing in common: They'll be at the
starting line of the 2012 Honda LA Marathon, running on behalf of
non-profit Team Rubicon, an organization that repurposes the skills of
young military veterans for humanitarian disasters. As part of the race's
brand-new "I Run 4 Something" campaign, tens of thousands of runners
will have a similar chance to raise money for their favorite charity next
March.
The "I Run 4 Something" campaign empowers runners to raise crowd-sourced
donations through friends, family and social networks for any qualified
non-profit organization of their choice, including the Honda LA
Marathon's 70 official charities supporting critical environmental,
community and health-related causes.
The first "I Run 4 Something" incentive campaign also launches today and
rewards the first 50 people to raise $26 for their favorite charity with a
chance to win a free LA Roadrunners membership (value $145). Ten winners
will be chosen to take part in the Marathon's official 26-week training
program, which has just kicked off in three locations throughout Los
Angeles. Runners can take part in this incentive through
Crowdrise.com/HondaLAMarathon2012, an innovative fundraising platform that
is part of the marathon's effort to make it simple and fun for runners to
raise more money than ever before.
"We're asking every runner to run for something . anything . that matters
to you," said LA MARATHON LLC Chief Operating Officer Nick Curl. "Whether
you can raise $11 or $5,000, there are so many great causes that you can
support. We think if you're passionate about what you're running for,
you'll run faster and raise even more to help a worthy cause. The Honda LA
Marathon is both a great sporting event and a tremendous community-building
opportunity. Our partnership with Crowdrise makes it as easy as possible
for our runners to 'Run 4 Something'."
Crowdrise co-founder Edward Norton will also send a video message to all
marathon participants when they sign up for the March 18, 2012 race.
"The lesson is, don'ft just run, run for something," Norton said. "I'm
telling you, from experience, it will give you extra motivation and make
the race twice as fun."
Already, 70 official charities have begun their outreach to thousands of
participants, aided by Crowdrise, which utilizes cutting-edge ideas about
crowd sourcing and combines them with the power of social networking to
create a fun and captivating environment for fundraising and volunteerism.
Any runner, for example, can set up a fundraising page, and reach out to a
network of friends, family members and colleagues in a matter of minutes.
Even those who are not running can take part - by supporting a friend
who is running, or by setting up a fundraising page of their own. The goal
is to make it easy for runners, volunteers and other passionate supporters
to raise money for their favorite causes.
For some, that will be a charity like Team Rubicon, whose work was central
to creating an ongoing peace initiative between previously warring tribes
in East Africa. Among other charities taking part in the Marathon's
enhanced fundraising efforts are ThinkCure! and Team in Training, both of
which raise funds for cancer research. In all, 70 official charities are
partners with the race, and many more will benefit through the grassroots
efforts of thousands of runners. More information about Honda LA Marathon
charities and the charity program may be found at www.lamarathon.com/charities.
Celebrity participants are joining thousands of other runners in choosing
their favorite cause to support in preparation for the March 18, 2012 race.
Rock singer and songwriter David Cook, known for winning the seventh season
of American Idol, is running for Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, aimed at
finding the fastest possible route to a cure for brain cancer.
The charity program has grown exponentially in the three years since
present management took over the race. In 2009, the charity program raised
just over $1.25 million. In 2010, it raised $1.95 million. For the 2011
race, the fundraising total increased to just under $3 million. And for
2012, organizers believe that runners and their networks can raise $4
million for charitable causes.
"We've set an ambitious goal, but we are confident that the tens of
thousands of Honda LA Marathon runners are up for the challenge," said LA
MARATHON LLC Community Relations Director Ginger Williams. "After all, the
only thing better than crossing the finish line in Santa Monica is crossing
that line knowing that you've helped others, too. We hope all of our
runners will take up our challenge to 'Run 4 Something'."
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