Nike (NYSE:NKE) today announced the Nike+ Human Race, the world’s biggest one day running event ever, offering runners across the globe the chance to compete together on August 31, 2008. The 10k event will span multiple continents and cover 25 cities, including LA, New York, London, Madrid, Paris, Istanbul, Melbourne, Shanghai, São Paulo and Vancouver. Following races in each city, participants will be treated to an exclusive music concert featuring one of today’s top artists.
Runners everywhere can join today by visiting www.nikeplus.com to “Save A Spot” in their city of choice; registration officially opens on June 2. Runners outside of the 25 race cities can also still participate and run in their hometown by using Nike+. With Nike+ iPod and Nike+ Sport Band, runners can track their miles and sync.
“The Nike+ Human Race is about inspiring and connecting a million runners worldwide,” said Trevor Edwards, Nike Vice President for Brand and Category Management. “We’re offering runners new ways to compete and race, courses through legendary landmarks, each ending with a headlining musical act. It’s an unprecedented way for us to bring an entirely new running experience to consumers around the globe.”
Each city’s race will start on the same day, with the first race kicking off in Taipei and the last ending in LA. Race courses take runners by famous landmarks such as the famed LA Coliseum, Taipei 101 (the world’s tallest building), Mexico City’s historic center and the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Istanbul’s race course will span the city’s famous Bosphorus Bridge, closing it to car traffic to literally allow participants to run from Europe to Asia and back again.
Pre-race and race day activities will include top Nike athletes such as seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong in Austin, Texas, six-time marathon winner and current NY Marathon Champion, Paula Radcliffe in London, England, Beijing gold medal hopeful Craig Mottram, attending in Melbourne, Australia and Korea’s Yuna Kim, Grand Prix Final Gold medalist in Seoul.
“Having just completed the Boston Marathon, I believe that running is one of the greatest expressions of human potential,” Armstrong said. “As a committed runner, I’m proud to be participating in the Nike+ Human Race and encourage runners of all levels to join the global running community through this event.”
Nikeplus.com will be the official destination for the Nike+ Human Race and for all pre-race training needs. Here, runners can learn more about new training gear like the Nike Zoom Victory+, Nike’s latest performance training shoe featuring Flywire, its lightest and strongest new footwear construction technology or stay motivated by checking out the latest Nike+ Sport Music offerings. Sport Music offers runners the best in original Training Run and Coaching Mixes designed specifically for treadmill and road runs.
As part of the Nike+ Human Race, runners will be able to run for a cause to help support and give back to the global community.
For more information on the Nike+ Human Race and a complete listing of race cities visit www.nikeplus.com.
About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan Holdings Incorporated, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.
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