FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Winitz
Win-It!z Sports Public Relations
(650) 948-0618
Peter Nantell
THE SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON AND DEAN KARNAZES
PARTNER TO BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITIES
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (June 12, 2006) - When almost 15,000 runners line
up for The San Francisco Marathon(tm) and its companion races on July 30,
collectively they will run over 250 million steps through the city's
streets. Many of these inspired runners will dedicate every stride to a
vital charity organization of their choice through the marathon's unique
Cause to Run Program.
Now, "Ultramarathon Man" Dean Karnazes has joined The San Francisco
Marathon's team as the official host of this year's event. A primary goal
of this partnership is to significantly increase the $250,000 that Cause
to Run has raised for over 50 local charity organizations since 2003.
"Few runners can communicate the rewards of helping others through one's
own running achievements as well as Dean Karnazes," said marathon
producer Peter Nantell of West End Management. "He is the perfect example
of charitable philanthropy through his running endeavors. The visibility
and inspiration that Dean contributes to our charity efforts is
significant."
On race weekend, Karnazes will serve as official race starter, and will
also appear and speak at The San Francisco Marathon(tm) Expo on Friday
and Saturday, July 28 and 29, 2006. Karnazes, whose limitless exploits as
an endurance athlete have brought him worldwide acclaim, has dedicated
himself to magnanimous efforts. Starting September 17, he will commence
his Endurance 50 U.S. Tour, running 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50
consecutive days -- while advocating charitable giving.
On The San Francisco Marathon's race weekend (July 28-30), however,
Karnazes will inspire race participants who have enrolled in Cause to
Run. The program allows participants to pledge support to any of the
marathon's official charity organizations, raise funds, and earn pledge
prizes by participating in any of the running/walking events. The San
Francisco Marathon's events include the featured 26.2-mile marathon, two
half marathons (13.1 miles), and a 5-kilometer run/walk. Additionally, a
Progressive Marathon encourages participants to incrementally run or walk
26.2 miles over a period of weeks or months and complete the final part
of their cumulative marathon by participating in the 5K on race day.
Last year, an annual study conducted by USA Track & Field determined that
road runners and walkers raised $575 million for charity in 2004. The
figure marked a 2 percent increase over 2003 ($563 million) and a 10
percent increase over the inaugural study results for 2002 ($520
million). USATF gathered data from 20 national charitable race
series/organizations and 273 running/walking races, including 24 of the
country's 100 largest races.
"Charity running continues to grow, even as competitive marathoners
continue to raise the bar of elite performance," said USATF CEO Craig
Masback. "The marathon phenomenon has had a positive effect on American
society, from promoting fitness to pursuing altruistic goals such as
charity fund-raising."
Success Story 1: Organs 'R' Us
Organs 'R' Us has served as an important beneficiary of The San Francisco
Marathon since 1999. The nonprofit organization promotes (through
athletics) the need for organ donors. By walking and running, transplant
recipients, candidates, family members, friends and donor families have
generated $25 million of publicity promoting organ donation.
This year, the marathon's Cause to Run participants who select Organs 'R'
Us as their charitable undertaking will run to help 2-year-old Katalina
Thang of San Jose, Calif. After enduring three heart surgeries, doctors
said in September 2004 that Katalina would not survive six months without
a heart-lung transplant.
After Dean Karnazes ran solo ultra distances for Katalina (at the
Calistoga to Santa Cruz Relay) in 2004 (262 miles) and 2005 (350 miles),
a donor was found. As Katalina was prepped to receive a new heart and
lungs, it was discovered that the lungs were damaged.
Katalina still awaits a donor. She will be present at the marathon with
the Organs 'R' Us team helping to let others know that 90,000 Americans
(including 2,500 children) are now waiting for organs. Eighteen Americans
die each day before a donor is found.
According to Dr. Jeff Shapiro, MD who serves on the board of Organs 'R'
Us, organ donation is a "very unusual" cause.
"It doesn't really need a lot of money; what's really lacking is the
organs, the donors," said Shapiro, who will run in this year's marathon.
"Organ donation may not be for everybody. But we encourage everyone,
including runners, to have the conversation with their families that says
'donate my organs, or don't donate my organs, in case something happens
to me.'"
Success Story 2: Team Parkinson
Last year, Team Parkinson teamed up with The San Francisco Marathon(tm)
as one of its Cause to Run beneficiaries. In its first year of
involvement with the race, Team Parkinson attracted over 80 participants
who raised over $42,000 for its cause.
"Cause to Run has just been a big success for us," said Jennifer
Bugnatto, Team Parkinson's Volunteer Chair for the San Francisco Bay
Area. "A lot of people learned about us just by entering the race and
seeing us listed on the marathon site. We're excited to be back again
this year."
Bugnatto said The San Francisco Marathon's companion half marathon, 5K,
and Progressive Marathon events offer a special attraction for charity
participants. "They allow people of all ages and abilities to participate
with their families -- including people who have Parkinson's."
Team Parkinson is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2000, that raises
funds for research efforts to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease, and to
raise awareness regarding its impact. Parkinson's Disease is a
progressive neurological order that can become debilitating. It affects
over one and a half million Americans. Growing evidence suggests that
lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and even challenging activities
like marathons might help ward off or delay the onset of
neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
John Ball, who co-chairs Team Parkinson, was diagnosed with Parkinson's
almost 25 years ago. Ball, 62, of Whittier, Calif. has completed 14
marathons with the assistance of medication that controls his symptoms.
Ball finished The San Francisco Marathon last year in about four hours
and fifty minutes and will return this year.
"When I retired from work, I decided to spend the rest of my days helping
people with Parkinson's," Ball said. "If I run a marathon well, it helps
inspire all people, and helps people with Parkinson's because it raises
money and awareness."
Success Story 3: National Brain Tumor Foundation
Racing Ahead for the National Brain Tumor Foundation is a program that
combines running and raising funds for the National Brain Tumor
Foundation. Participants in The San Francisco Marathon who chose Racing
Ahead as their charity team raised over $14,500 for the NBTF last year,
and $11,000 in 2004.
"Every one of Racing Ahead's team members at The San Francisco Marathon
have been successful; every one has met their fundraising goals," said
Jennifer Neale, the founder of Racing Ahead who is a brain cancer
survivor. "Our participants tell us that this is a great way to celebrate
life and reach out to help others."
NBTF is a national non-profit health organization dedicated to providing
information and support for brain tumor patients, family members, and
healthcare professionals, while supporting innovative research into
better treatment options and a cure for brain tumors. There are over 130
types of brain tumors. In the U.S., 500 adults and children are diagnosed
with brain tumors every day. Treatment is difficult.
This year, the following non-profit organizations are raising funds by
participating in the marathon's Cause to Run program. Additional
nonprofits may be added. All nonprofits are welcome to join.
Organs 'R' Us
Team Parkinson
International Rivers Network
San Francisco SPCA
Options Recovery Services
National Brain Tumor Foundation
Ekal Marathon
Faith Network of the East Bay
Homeless Prenatal Program
Speeders for Bleeders
Compass Community Services
Medals4Mettle
A Home Away From Homelessness
Karno Kids
Run to Defeat ALS
Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation
Monument Crisis Center, Runners for Food
UCSF Play Safe
First Covenant Church
For complete details about The San Francisco Marathon's Cause to Run
program, its beneficiaries, and how to make a contribution or sponsor a
runner, see www.causetorun.com.
About The San Francisco Marathon(tm)
The San Francisco Marathon(tm) enjoys success as the premier summertime
marathon in the U.S. San Francisco's blend of natural beauty, big city
charm, and perfect mid-summer running temperatures, make marathon running
in San Francisco a truly magical experience.
REGISTRATION DETAILS for The San Francisco Marathon(tm), and all of the
marathon's events, are available online at www.runsfm.com.
About Dean Karnazes
Dean Karnazes, a San Francisco resident, is a record-holding endurance
athlete, philanthropist, best-selling author, and an accomplished
businessman. Karnazes has done what few people thought humanly possible.
He's run 350 continuous miles without sleep. He's run across Death Valley
in the middle of summer, and he's run a marathon to the South Pole. On
seven separate occasions, he's run a 200-mile relay race solo. Karnazes'
adventures have been featured on prominent television shows and in many
leading publications. He is a sought-after motivational speaker.
Karnazes' recent book, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night
Runner, has been on the New York Times list and is a national bestseller.
He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity through his
running and sports career. Dean serves on the Board of Girls On the Run,
a national program dedicated to building confidence and self-esteem in
young, largely at-risk, girls, and is a member of the California Task
Force on Youth Wellness, serving under Senator Tom Torlakson. Last
December, Karnazes founded the Karno Kids Foundation, a non-profit
organization that encourages youth to become physically active while
restoring and preserving the natural environment. He holds two graduate
degrees, several patents and trademarks, and is the President of his own
food and nutrition company.
Karnazes' colossal marathon-a-day effort later this year will provide a
human vehicle for contributors to support charity organizations such as
the beneficiaries of The San Francisco Marathon's Cause to Run program.
The ultra endurance athlete encourages everyone to "come run with me"
during any portion of his 50-day mega-run, and to make a donation to
designated charities. The October 3 leg of Karnazes' marathon journey is
devoted to a run over The San Francisco Marathon's scenic and challenging
course.
For more about Dean Karnazes, see www.ultramarathonman.com.
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